Description
Book SynopsisThe second edition of William Phemister’s The American Piano Concerto Compendium reveals to professional and amateurs pianists alike a vast collection of available compositions by American composers. Analysis expands outside mainstream concerto styles to include those considered experimental or popular derivatives. The range of music flows from Pulitzer Prize winners like Samuel Barber, Gail Kubik, and John LaMontaine, to lesser-known multi-ethnic composers such as Tania León and Samuel Zyman, to old standards like Edward MacDowell and the first piano concerto written by an American-born composer, Otis B. Boise (1875), to the cutting-edge avant-garde of Milton Babbitt and Elliott Carter, just to name a few. These all contribute to the varied narrative that animates American piano music. With forty percent more works described, documented, and reviewed than were listed in the 1985 first edition from the College Music Society, this second edition is a valuable resource not only for pianists and conductors, but also for orchestras, teachers, students, music historians and critics, collectors, and concert attendees.
Trade ReviewThis book. . . will be an invaluable resource for musicians, composers, conductors, music historians, teachers, and orchestras. * American Reference Books Annual *
Phemister has doggedly pursued these many concertos, read them through, and researched critical commentary where such has been available. It is a yeoman effort by a fine pianist, successful teacher, and tireless scholar. One hopes that this book will not only see the light of day, but will cause many of these silent concertos to be heard and appreciated. -- Louis Nagel, Professor Emeritus of Piano, University of Michigan
The American Piano Concerto Compendium is an extremely valuable contribution to several different categories of readers. It is indispensable to pianists, music lovers, and orchestra personnel with any sense of adventure or curiosity toward that vast area beyond the restricted and too-often-performed standard piano concerti. Beautifully organized and researched, with judiciously selected reviews - a wonderful body of information hitherto unexplored. -- Alan Mandel, Professor Emeritus of Music and the Performing Arts, American University, Washington, DC
William Phemister’s extensive, meticulously researched compendium is an invaluable resource for the serious conductor, professional soloist, piano teacher, student, and inquisitive listener. Reaching well beyond the canon of familiar repertoire – and incorporating fascinating “extras” such as composer commentaries and contemporary reviews – Phemister’s catalogue should help stimulate interest in a wide array of unfamiliar, overlooked, or forgotten American piano concertos. An impressive achievement! -- Barbara Schubert, Music Director and Conductor, University of Chicago Symphony, DuPage Symphony Orchestra, and Fine Arts Symphony
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Guide to Entries American Piano Concertos: A to Z Timeline: a cross-section of American Piano Concertos from 1869 to the present Indexes: Concertos for One, Three, and Four Hands at One Piano Concertos for Two or More Pianos Concertos with Band or Wind Ensemble Concertos with Chamber Orchestra Concertos with String Orchestra Concertos with Other Solo Instruments Concertos with Alternative Media Concertos with Jazz, Improvisation, and Popular Styles Concertos for Student Pianists Concertos by Immigrant Americans Concertos by WPA (Works Progress Administration) Composers Withdrawn Concertos Pianists in First Performances and Recordings Music Publishers and Music Organizations Bibliography
