Description
Book SynopsisWalter Piston (1894-1976) taught for over thirty years (1926-1960) at Harvard, where he taught such well-known composers as Harold Shapiro and Leonard Bernstein. The biographies, major accomplishments, stylistic developments, and technical resources of 33 of his students are described.
Trade Review...throughout the book, Pollack subtly and consistently captures the essence of Piston's profound influence on his students...an important and welcome contribution to our understanding of American music in the twentieth century. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association *
This important book directs attention to a group of composers never before considered as a group... * CHOICE *
...innovative...comfortably maneuvers around the widely varying styles that emerges within the Piston stable... * Isam Newsletter *
I am impressed by the author's capacity to discern that subtle quality we call expressive content. * Ellis Kohns *
...a well researched overview... * The Musical Times *
...Pollack writes well...a good overview of America's music from the 1920s through 1985 as seen through the prism of Harvard's ivied walls. * The Instrumentalist *
...fired by something beyond criticism or praise, namely, sympathy and a passion for understanding. * Yehudi Wyner *
...meticulously researched; sensitive and serious in its analysis; creative and caring in its execution; thorough and honest in its handling of details. -- Mrs. Irving Fine
Fills a great lacuna. -- Daniel Pinkham
...surpasses my highest expectations... -- William Austin
Anyone interested in the composers discussed in Pollack's book will find it worthwhile...beautifully printed and bound, with a full cloth cover, and a pleasure simply to hold in the hand as well as to read. * American Record Guide *
...The classical ideals that shaped Piston's writing and teaching are provocatively defined... * American Music *
