INDEPENDENT BOOKS OF THE YEAR This completely new edition of the Penguin Guide reviews the 1000 best classical albums issued and reissued over the past five decades, many of which dominate the catalogue because of their sheer excellence, irrespective of recording dates. More comprehensive than ever before, it indicates key recordings on CD, DVD and enhanced SACD, including those in surround sound. If you want the finest available version of any major classical album you will find it listed and assessed in these pages. Ranging from long-established albums to the newest releases, the latest edition represents the cream of the international repertoire and has all the information you need to select the finest classical music available.
Girolamo Frescobaldi was the greatest Italian keyboard composer of the early Baroque. Throwing caution to the wind he introduced his own 'unconventional' style of inventive harmony, quirky rhythms and innovative embellishment, establishing his prominence as a beacon of musical excellence, and an inspiration for future generations of composers. With practical discussions on 17th century fingering methods, ornamentation, organ registration, modes, tuning and temperament, and Italian instruments, plus other intriguing concepts, Richard Lester explores much of the composer's creative genius: a trendsetter straordinario. A supplement to this book in the form of a documentary is available on www.richardlester.org.uk and audio recordings by Richard Lester on historic instruments are available on Spotify, or from [email protected] Richard Lester's harpsichord and organ recordings of Frescobaldi's music on period instruments for Nimbus Records have twice received the 'outstanding' accolade in International Record Review; awarded 'Recording of the year' in Musicweb International 2011; and acclaimed in the Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical Recordings, - 'Performance of Frescobaldi demands a free, improvisatory style of performance, of which Richard Lester is obviously a master.' In an academic capacity he has contributed articles on Scarlatti, and Frescobaldi's music in Harpsichord and Fortepiano magazine, and the Hungarian book on early music, R ÉGI ZENE. Tanulmányok, Cikkek, Interjúk. Szerkesztette Péteri Judit.
MAKE A SOUND INVESTMENT IN CLASSICAL MUSIC Who are the ten most important classical composers? Who in the world was Palestrina? Why did Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" cause a riot? Which five of each important composer's works should you buy? What is a concerto and how does it differ from a sonata? Maybe you don't know the answers to these questions; author Phil Goulding certainly didn't. When Goulding first tried to learn about classical music, he found himself buried in an avalanche of technical terms and complicated jargon--so he decided to write the book he couldn't find. The result is a complete classical music education in one volume. Comprehensive, discriminating, and delightfully irreverent, Classical Music provides such essential information as: * Rankings of the top 50 composers (Bach is #1. Borodin is #50) * A detailed and anecdotal look at each composer's life and work * The five primary works of each composer and specific recommended CDs for each. * Further great works of each composer--if you really like him * Concise explanations of musical terminology, forms, and periods * A guide to the parts and history of the symphony orchestra "This book uses every conceivable gimmick to immerse readers in the richness of classical music: lists, rankings, sidebars devoted to lively anecdotes, and catchy leads." --The Washington Post "One terrific music appreciation book...The information is surprisingly detailed but concisely presented. Goulding's writing style is breezy yet mature....[He] has raised music appreciation from a racket to a service." --The Arizona Daily Star
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings is firmly established as the world's leading guide to recorded jazz, a mine of fascinating information and a source of insightful - often wittily trenchant - criticism. This is something rather different: Brian Morton (who taught American history at UEA) has picked out the 1000 best recordings that all jazz fans should have and shows how they tell the history of the music and with it the history of the twentieth century. He has completely revised his and Richard Cook's entries and reassessed each artist's entry for this book. The result is an endlessly browsable companion that will prove required reading for aficionados and jazz novices alike. 'It's the kind of book that you'll yank off the shelf to look up a quick fact and still be reading two hours later' Fortune 'Part jazz history, part jazz Karma Sutra with Cook and Morton as the knowledgeable, urbane, wise and witty guides ... This is one of the great books of recorded jazz; the other guides don't come close' Irish Times
14,000 CDs reviewed 2,000 New discs in this edition More than 500 new artist listings The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordingsis now firmly established as the world's leading guide to recorded jazz. For this eighth edition Richard Cook and Brian Morton have once again reassessed and updated each entry. Whether you're looking for the best new CDs or finding out which are the essential jazz albums for downloading, this book is the perfect companion. It is a mine of information and a source of insightful, witty, trenchant criticism that is required reading for jazz aficionados and novices alike.
More than an essential companion to the complete "Penguin Guide to Compact Discs" (1999), the "Yearbook 2000/1" reviews hundreds of brand new CDs and takes a closer look at some of the more unusual areas of the classical-music repertoire.
More than an essential companion to the complete "Penguin Guide to Compact Discs" (1999), the "Yearbook 2000/1" reviews hundreds of brand new CDs and takes a closer look at some of the more unusual areas of the classical-music repertoire.
Now fully updated--the critically acclaimed guide to the world of jazz on CDWhere can you find a complete set of Ella Fitzgerald's many songbook recordings? Who are the influences of Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., and Joshua Redman? What are the earliest available recordings of trumpeter Chet Baker? Leading critics Richard Cook and Brian Morton answer these and myriad other questions in The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD--the most comprehensive critical guide to jazz recordings available.
