Books

format friction book

Format Friction: Perspectives on the Shellac Disc (U Chicago Press)

A Sebaldian reflection, marred by trendy iconoclasm, on the global phenomenon of the gramophone and its listeners [NC]

three choirs festival book carpenter

Three Choirs Festival in Ten Concerts (Logaston Press)

A lively and perceptive introduction to the world’s oldest music festival [JQ]

sowerby book illinois

Leo Sowerby (University of Illinois Press)

This first class study is an absorbing read and well worth tracking down [SG]

dodgson celebration

Born by the Thames. Stephen Dodgson: A Centenary Celebration (de la Porte Publishing)

An excellent celebration of the life and music of a composer only now coming into his own [WH]

Silvestre Revueltas: Sounds of a Political Passion (Oxford University Press)

A musical genius of the New World, shackled by dogmas of past and present [NC]

Tchaikovsky’s Empire: A New Life of Russia’s Greatest Composer (Yale University Press)

An invigorating shattering of myths, both long-held and recent, about this perennially beloved composer [NC]

Suppressed Composers in the Netherlands Toccata Press ISBN9780907689492

Suppressed Composers in the Netherlands (Toccata Press)

A useful compendium of suppressed Dutch composers. A trusty and practical guide [SG]

Wagner: The Complete Experience and its Meaning to Us (De la Porte Publishing)

Now a truly complete guide to Wagner’s operas, in a fine new edition [RWe]

beethoven quartets vernon

Beethoven: The String Quartets (Candle Row Press)

A lively introduction to this music written with humour, erudition and enthusiasm [DMD]

recording british music foreman vocalion

Recording British Music (Vocalion Books)

The immense contribution to British Music made by a ‘librarian-hobbyist’ [JW]

recording british music foreman

Recording British Music (Vocalion Books)

A ready source of rare information, insight and record – and a great read [GHu]

arnold companion

A Malcolm Arnold Musical Companion (Malcolm Arnold Society)

A companion to hold your hand through the works of an utter professional [RB]

Gormenghast Soundtrack Bennett Sony SK89135

Gormenghast (Sony Classical & BBC Studios)

(Déjà Review) One of the finest scores ever written for television [GSD]

tennstedt biography

Klaus Tennstedt: Possessed by Music

Like Klaus Tennstedt himself, Georg Wübbolt’s biography is flawed, but fascinating [NC]

Samuel Barber: His Life and Legacy (University of Illinois Press)

A first class study, well worth tracking down [SG]

The Score Interviews Film Composers Michael Schelle Silman James Press

The Score – Interviews with Film Composers (Silman-James Press)

(Déjà Review) This is a book that is well overdue. It is an inside look at the working life of the people who compose for films against ruthless deadlines and the dictates of production teams [IL]

klein biography fligg toccata

Don’t Forget About Me (Toccata Press)

A powerful and moving study of a potential great of Czech 20th Century music [NB]

klein biography fligg toccata

Don’t Forget About Me (Toccata Press)

A gripping, if tragic story of a composer and pianist who died too young [MMB]

panufnik composing myself toccata

Composing Myself (Toccata Press)

One of the most important composer autobiographies [GH]

The Life and Music of Elizabeth Maconchy (Boydell & Brewer)

An intellectually rewarding book, both absorbing and enlightening [SG]

portechiuse tato 9791281306066

Porte Chiuse (Closed Doors) – (Maurizio Vetri Editore)

Absorbing reading for anyone able to read Italian and interested in Italian post-war history, both musical and political [CH]

bliss biography spicer

Sir Arthur Bliss – Standing out from the Crowd

A comprehensive and vivid picture of Sir Arthur Bliss [JQ]

Speaking Musically (Royal Academy of Music Press)

Weighty, serious and far-striding interviews; a rich resource [RB]

moorland butterworth lyrita

Moorland Symphonies (Lyrita)

A successful and informative introduction to this appealing composer’s work [NB]