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Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Western music, periods & styles > 20th century music
This volume, part of Greenwood's continuing series of Bio-Bibliographies in Music, provides a concise bibliographic guide to the life and career of Otto Luening. While the music of this American composer, educator, conductor, and flutist has been performed throughout the northeastern United States, his work has received little attention outside of this region. With its extensive treatment of his life and career, this book will help to bring Luening's important compositions and his contributions to American music to the attention of a much wider audience. Ralph Hartsock divides Luening's work into four main sections, each covering a specific aspect of Luening's career. The volume begins with a brief biography of the subject and is followed by a complete listing of Luening's works and performances through 1989. Prepared with the assistance of Luening himself, this section arranges its information in chronological order, and includes basic bibliographical data as well as information on the premiere of each piece and selected performances. A comprehensive discography, arranged alphabetically by title, cites both commercially produced and selected privately released recordings. Also included is a pair of annotated bibliographies, covering the years from 1921 to 1989. One contains citations of material written by Luening, while the other details the hundreds of articles written about him. The work concludes with a pair of appendixes that catalog Luening's compositions alphabetically by title and according to genre. This work will be a valuable reference source for courses in contemporary music and American music, and a worthwhile addition to the collections of public, college, and university libraries.
In addition, "The Tone Clock" contains a broad selection of Peter
Schat's polemical writings, embracing historical, political,
aesthetic and environmental perspectives. His book is not just of
interest to composers, but it also provides a valuable insight for
anyone interested in the development of twentieth-century
music.
This hauntingly beautiful piece, arranged for flute and piano by the composer, is extracted from Rutter's large-scale work Visions. The expressive solo line features long phrases and a quasi-improvised section, making it an ideal concert work for intermediate to advanced flautists.
The third and final volume of Prokofiev's Diaries covers the years 1924 to 1933 when he was living in Paris. Intimate accounts of the successes and disappointments of a great creative artist at the heart of the European arts world between the two world wars jostle with witty and trenchant commentaries on the personalities who made up this world. The Diaries document the complex emotional inner world of a Russian exile uncomfortably aware of the nature of life in Stalin's Russia yet increasingly persuaded that his creative gifts would never achieve full maturity separated from the culture, people and land of his birthplace. Since even Prokofiev knew that the USSR was hardly the place to commit inner reflections to paper, the Diaries come to an end after June 1933 although it would be another three years before he, together with his wife and children, finally exchanged the free if materially uncertain life of a cosmopolitan Parisian celebrity for Soviet citizenship and the credo of Socialist Realism within which the regime struggled to strait-jacket its artists. Volume Three continues the kaleidoscopic impressions and the stylish language - Prokofiev was almost as gifted and idiosyncratic a writer as a composer - of its predecessors.
Igor Stravinsky left behind a complex heritage of music and ideas. There are many examples of discrepancies between his literate statements about music and musicians and his musical compositions and activity. Per Dahl presents a model of communication that unveils a clear and logical understanding of Stravinsky's heritage, based on the extant material available. From this, Dahl argues the case for Stravinsky's music and his ideas as separate entities, representing different modes of communication. As well as describing a triangular model of communication, based on a tilted and extended version of Ogden's triangle, Dahl presents an empirical investigation of Stravinsky's vocabulary of signs and expressions in his published scores - his communicative mode towards musicians. In addition to simple statistics, Dahl compares the notation practice in the composer's different stylistic epochs as well as his writing for different sizes of ensembles. Dahl also considers Stravinsky's performances and recordings as modes of communication to investigate whether the multi-layered model can soften the discrepancies between Stravinsky the literary and Stravinsky the musician.
Singing Soviet Stagnation: Vocal Cycles from the USSR, 1964-1985 explores the ways in which the aftershock of an apparent crisis in Soviet identity after the death of Stalin in 1953 can be detected in selected musical- literary works of what has become known as the 'Stagnation' era (1964-1985). Richard Louis Gillies traces the cultural impact of this shift through the intersection between music, poetry, and identity, presenting close readings of three substantial musical-literary works by three of the period's most prominent composers of songs and vocal cycles: * Seven Poems of Aleksandr Blok, Op. 127 (1966- 1967) by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) * Russia Cast Adrift (1977) by Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998) * Stupeni (1981-1982; 1997) by Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937). The study elaborates an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of musicalliterary artworks that does not rely on existing models of musical analysis or on established modes of literary criticism, thereby avoiding privileging one discipline over the other. It will be of particular signifi cance for scholars, students, and performers with an interest in Russian and Soviet music, the intersection between music and poetry, and the history of Russian and East European culture, politics, and identity during the twentieth century.
Vaughan Williams wrote Symphony No. 8 between 1953 and 1955 while in his eighties. It is his shortest symphony and considered by many to be his least serious. Aside from a few sombre moments, the symphony is optimistic in mood and displays Vaughan Williams's love for exotic and colourful combinations of instruments with a percussion sections that, he said, employs "all the 'phones and 'spiels known to the composer". For this newly engraved edition, editor David Lloyd-Jones has consulted all extant sources and materials to create a score matching the composer's intentions. The full score is completed with Textual Notes and Preface, and accompanying orchestral parts are available on hire.
Appropriately, this work written on the year of the 100th birthday of Frank Martin, is the first English language resource dealing with work by and about the Swiss composer. Charles King provides access to a great deal of critical substantive writing about Martin's work and to the considerable body of writing by the composer himself. Many of the most important writings, derived from articles, lectures, letters, program notes and interviews, are now collected into several monographs in French with some parts in English and German, all of which have been indexed here. Comprehensive coverage is given to articles in English, and excellent work written in German, French, Dutch, and Italian has been highlighted also. The volume consists of a biography of Martin, a cataloging of the composer's works and performances, and a 229-item discography followed by two separate bibliographies that list writings by and about Martin. Two appendixes and an index complete the work. As the only comprehensive introduction in English to Frank Martin and his work, this reference will assist future researchers and stimulate the interest and curiosity of others to learn more of this composer's life and work.
for SATB, piano, and optional saxophone, bass, and drum kit Ophelia, Caliban, and Miranda puts a jazzy twist on three Shakespearean characters. With newly written texts by Charles Bennett, each of the three movements focuses in on Ophelia from Hamlet and Caliban and Miranda from The Tempest. In the funky opener, 'River Bride', the upper voices take the part of Ophelia, while the tenors and basses play a lover figure. Caliban's song, 'Ariel taught me how to play', is a reflective ballad in which the slave tells Miranda, who has escaped his advances, about the spirit helper Ariel teaching him to play the saxophone. The final movement, 'All good things come to an end', is a sassy yet tender number, where Miranda bids farewell to her beloved husband Ferdinand, declaring: 'I've gone back to the island to remember who I am'. The piano part may be played as written or serve as a guide, and a part for saxophone, bass, and drum kit is available separately for jazz quartet accompaniment.
for SSAATTBB unaccompanied Ave gloriosa mater salvatoris is a challenging and yet delicate anthem, with subtle key-signature changes, vocal divisions in up to eight parts, and alternating homophonic and polyphonic passages. The text includes excerpts from the synonymous medieval hymn and Wordsworth's poem The Virgin, making the piece suitable for a variety of sacred celebrations and particularly those of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Immortal was commissioned by the BBC World Service, and was premiered at the BBC Proms in 2004. This work pays tribute to the influence of Chinese artists and intellectuals in the twentieth century. With an undercurrent of tranquillity and meditation, the work features a powerful and rhythmic introduction, from which emerges a section of sustained high-pitched glissandos, as well as lyrical melodies and expressive glissandos that characterise many of the solo motifs.
for SATB double choir, children's choir, and piano Setting a text by Charles Bennett, The White Field presents a dreamlike scene in which blackbirds plant songs in the cold earth and await the growth of their music. Chilcott's melodies echo through the voices, before a climactic tutti central section giving full voice to the idea of renewal and hope in the depth of winter. A wistful coda completes the reverie as the blackbirds settle to await the return of the sun. The piano part provides harmonic support and rhythmic energy to the voice parts with chordal and semiquaver figurations throughout the work. The White Field was commissioned by the Barbican Centre for London Symphony Chorus and BBC Symphony Chorus for Sound Unbound, November 2015.
for SATB (with divisions) and soprano saxophone Setting the original Latin text of the hymn better known as 'Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding', Jackson creates an Advent piece of beautiful stillness. The largely homophonic choral parts, with a soloist supplying a gentle contrapuntal line, are contrasted with light and graceful interjections from the saxophone. The result is a quietly moving piece ideally suited for a reflective moment during an Advent service.
This book explores the transformation of ideas of the material in late twentieth- and early twenty-first-century musical composition. New music of this era is argued to reflect a historical moment when the idea of materiality itself is in flux. Engaging with thinkers such as Theodor Adorno, Sara Ahmed, Zygmunt Bauman, Rosi Braidotti, and Timothy Morton, the author considers music's relationship with changing material conditions, from the rise of neo-liberalisms and information technologies to new concepts of the natural world. Drawing on musicology, cultural theory, and philosophy, the author develops a critical understanding of musical bodies, objects, and the environments of their interaction. Music is grasped as something that both registers material changes in society whilst also enabling us to practice materiality differently.
for SSATB and cello Night Flight was written to mark the centenary of Harriet Quimby's pioneering flight across the English channel. Setting texts by Sheila Bryer on the mysterious powers of the sea, earth, and air, McDowall uses vocal clusters and haunting solo cello lines to highlight the sense of fear, awe, and majesty experienced by an individual pitted against the elements. Cecilia McDowall was awarded the 2014 British Composer Award in the Choral category for Night Flight. The solo cello part is available for sale separately.
for SSATB and organ The hymn Come, Holy Ghost lies at the heart of Celestial Fire. Here, McDowall has woven the exquisite poetry of Denise Levertov into this expressive and uplifting piece. At times quietly meditative, Celestial Fire unfolds to a most joyous, affirmative conclusion. Celestial Fire was commissioned as part of a trilogy suitable for significant occasions during the church calendar year by Oakham School; the two other Oakham anthems for organ and mixed chorus are Light Eternal and Candlemas.
The aftermath of World War II sent thousands of Estonian refugees into Europe. The years of Estonian independence (1917-1940) had given them a taste of freedom and so relocation to displaced person (DP) camps in post-war Germany was extremely painful. One way in which Estonians dealt with the chaos and trauma of WWII and its aftermath was through choral singing. Just as song festivals helped establish national identity in 1869, song festivals promoted cultural cohesiveness for Estonians in WWII displaced person camps. A key turning point in hope for the Estonian DPs was the 1947 Augsburg Song Festival, which is the center point of this book. As Estonian DPs dispersed to Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States these choirs and song festivals gave Estonians the resilience to retain their identity and to thrive in their new homes. This history of Estonian WWII DP camp choirs and song festivals is gathered from the stories of many courageous individuals and filled with the tenacious spirit of the Estonian singing culture. This work contributes to an understanding of immigration, identity, and resilience and is particularly important within the field of music regarding music and healing, music and identity, historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and music and politics.
for SATB, organ, and optional handbells Through luminous choral harmonies, images of a winter night, and echoes of scripture, Advent Moon evokes deep human longing as well as the promise of the coming of light. The delicate organ accompaniment and optional handbells underscore both the haunting opening and the radiant conclusion of this piece.
for SATB and organ Archer's setting of this well-known Christmas text is lilting and buoyant, with a memorable melody and charming organ interludes. Suitable for liturgical or concert use, the carol features great textual variety, building to a rousing finish that is sure to fill audiences with Christmas cheer!
for solo soprano and SSATB Written for the wedding of the composer's niece in 2012, this piece affectionately sets a poem of the same title by Robert Burns. It was first performed by Chantage in London's Church of Scotland, St Columba's, conducted by James Davey. With something intrinsically Scottish about it, this tender setting of the well-loved poem, although written specifically for a wedding, would suit almost any occasion.
for soloists, SATB, and organ Written for the Choir of Wells Cathedral, of which Matthew Owens is Organist and Master of the Choristers, this setting of the St Matthew Passion is ideally suited to liturgical performance during Holy Week. The principal role of the Evangelist is taken by a baritone soloist, who narrates the story of Christ's trial and Crucifixion in unaccompanied chant. The other, smaller, solo roles of Judas (tenor), Pilate (tenor), Jesus (bass), and Pilate's wife (alto) continue in the same vein, with four-part choral interspersions from the crowds, soldiers, and priests providing a contrast in texture. The hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross', set to the Rockingham hymn tune, appears twice throughout the work, and the congregation are encouraged to join in on both occasions. The simple organ part supports the voices for the hymn, and may also optionally double the choir during the narrative.
for SAA and piano The quirky style of The Look perfectly complements the nature of Sara Teasdale's poem, which reminisces on past romances. The melody is catchy and colourful, with a stylistic ornament that gives the piece a carefree feel, and there are effective contrasts of tonality and texture. The voices are accompanied by a jazzy, characterful piano part with driving syncopations.
for SAA and piano Exhibiting Chydenius's unique style, this contemplative ballad sets a wistful text by American lyrical poet Sara Teasdale. The close harmonies, persuasive melodies, and appealing syncopations in the voices are underpinned by a stylistic piano part with a rhythmic chord pattern that creates a sense of build and drive. The Kiss is ideal for upper-voice choirs looking for an evocative concert piece. |
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