"Lies: A Diary 1986-1999"
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Ned Rorem
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With a nomination in this year's Grammy Awards for the category Best Contemporary Classical Composition (for his song cycle "Evidence of Things Not Seen"), Ned Rorem seems finally to be gaining more widespread recognition as one of our leading composers. He's also long since earned his reputation as part of an even smaller elite, the happy few who are equally at home writing music and words. As a belletrist, Rorem has focused his gift on a lifelong series of diaries, regularly published through the years. The latest installment, "Lies," covers the period 1986-1999, with Rorem confronting the mortality of loved ones and musing on his own aging.
"The Later Diaries 1961-1972"
Ned Rorem
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And for those who succumb to the strangely hypnotic--not to say voyeuristic--enchantment of reading a well-written diary, Rorem's "Later Diaries: 1961-1972" makes a fascinating read. Along with the personal journey, narrated via Rorem's signature elegance, wit, and occasionally wicked style, we also get a chronicle of turbulent times, all the more valuable as filtered through a consciousness so sensitive and intelligent.
"A Century of Recorded Music: Listening to Musical History"
Timothy Day
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One of the most important revolutions in the entire history of music occurred with the invention of the technology for reproducing it. The effects have been profound: on how we respond to music, how we discover, how it is performed, and even how it is conceived and composed. Timothy Day, curator of Western art music at the Sound Archive of the British Library in London, approaches this vast topic with remarkable lucidity. He traces the advances of technology and explores the development of the legendary labels, with a focus on how "repertory" has come to be chosen and recorded and how styles of recording/performance have changed over time and influenced each other.
"Fifty-Five Years in Five Acts: My Life in Opera"
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Astrid Varnay
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Varnay's relaxed, conversational memoir covers the American soprano's life from her childhood as the daughter of two opera singers through her own career, which ran from the 1940s to the 1990s and which was closely associated with Wagnerian roles (as well as Beethoven and Strauss). Varnay's unpretentious narrative includes plenty of anecdotes about her colleagues. She vividly conveys what daily life in an opera house is like and offers frank opinions about the practice of contemporary opera production.
"Siren Songs"
Mary Ann Smart
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The latest installment in the provocative, sometimes groundbreaking Princeton Studies in Opera series is an anthology of the latest, gender-focused critical theory on the meaning of opera's obsession with sex. The contributors, who bring perspectives of musicology, feminism, and literary criticism to the table, include Catherine Clement, Linda Hutcheon, Lawrence Kramer, and Peter Brooks. From the topic of opera's "trouser roles" to images of operatic "hysteria" and the problematics of contemporary staging, there's a lot of food for thought here in the area of gender studies and opera.
"Yehudi Menuhin: A Life"
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Violinist Yehudi Menuhin's death in Berlin on March 12, 1999, truly marked the end of an era, one characterized by music-making as a stirring mix of virtuosity, powerful individualism, risk-taking, and a path to spiritual fulfillment. Humphrey Burton, author of an earlier in-depth biography of Leonard Bernstein, often collaborated with Menuhin on radio and television programs during his career as programmer with the BBC. Burton's access to many personal interviews, unpublished correspondence, and various primary sources enriches his portrayal of the violinist, giving attention not only to his musical accomplishments but to his complex personality and humanistic endeavors, including the many controversies in which Menuhin engaged.
EARLY MUSIC STORE: BACK BEFORE BACH
There's a huge, tremendously varied, and exciting world of classical music from before the time of Bach and Handel. It ranges from the soaring chant of the mystic Hildegard von Bingen and other sacred choral works to the secular, courtly love songs of the troubadours and trouvères. Visit Amazon.com's Early Music Store for recommended titles.
Go to Early Music Store
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BEETHOVEN'S PIANO SONATAS: AN OVERVIEW
The "Moonlight," the "Pathetique," and the "Appassionata" sonatas are known and loved by virtually all fans of classical music. But, as Amazon.com writer Stephen Wigler explains, there's a world of personalities, and playing, to be found in all of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas. In this essay, we compare the very best interpretations of these masterpieces available, from Alfred Brendel, Solomon, Claudio Arrau, and other great pianists.
Go to article
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UPCOMING TITLES TO WATCH
"Sviatoslav Richter: Notebooks and Conversations"
Bruno Monsaingeon
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Next month, watch out for a bunch of new publications certain to stimulate interest, including the stunningly poetic observations and thoughts left behind by the great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, as well as the latest in the Wagner family saga by old Richard's great-granddaughter, and Andrew Lamb's illustrated history of popular musical theater.
"Jazz: A History of America's Music"
by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
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Anyone interested in the development of the classical traditions should have at least some grounding in the parallel universe of jazz. This unfathomably rich variety of music has, after all, not only been part of a process of cross-fertilization--inspiring composers of various European idioms over the last century--but it continues to provide some of the fundamental strands for creators in search of an authentic American idiom. To accompany Ken Burns's expansive 10-part film documentary (which began airing on PBS in early January), Burns and Geoffrey C. Ward created this lavishly illustrated history of the art, following the film episode by episode.
For more on the Jazz documentary, visit our Ken Burns Jazz Store:
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"Morton Gould: American Salute"
by Peter W. Goodman (foreword, Tim Page)
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The wide-ranging American composer Morton Gould enjoyed a long and productive life (1913-1996), and his career reflected the motley, polyglot situation of American musical culture, covering vaudeville, commercial jingles, high-minded symphonies--even material meant for Bill Clinton's presidential saxophone. Newsday critic Peter Goodman draws on intensive interviews conducted during the composer's final year and from detailed access to personal documents for this full portrait.
"Wagner Remembered"
by Stewart Spencer
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A well-recognized name in Wagner studies from his essays and ubiquitous translations, Stewart Spencer tackles the thorny topic of the composer's life story--many elements of which remain controversial and disputed today--by cleverly fashioning a mosaic of memories and impressions recorded by Wagner's contemporaries. More than 60 voices are represented--from Schumann to Queen Victoria--as translated into English (in some cases, for the first time), along with extensive annotated commentary.
"Getting Opera: A Guide for the Cultured but Confused" by Matt Dobkin
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If you enjoy the down-to-earth, irreverent, but impressively informed and passionate commentary of the Time Out style, this compendium of basic information, tips, and practical wisdom is your cup of tea. Matt Dobkin--a former classical music editor at Time Out New York--traces a short history of the art, offers thumbnail sketches of singers and synopses of 50 works from the repertory, and offers basic tips on how to ensure that an evening at the opera becomes a memorable experience. An ideal manual for young folks who are waiting to discover opera.
SALUTE TO VERDI
One of the biggest bashes--commemorations, actually--in the world of classical music this year will focus on the legacy of Giuseppe Verdi. January 27 marks the 100th anniversary of his death. For a selection of recommended books, videos, and essential recordings, visit our Verdi Store.
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HYPERION SCHUBERT SONG EDITION
One of the great projects in the history of recording has recently been completed: Hyperion's Schubert Edition, a 37-volume labor of love that covers the entire lyrical output of perhaps the world's greatest songwriter. Guided by pianist Graham Johnson, the Schubert Edition showcases the talent of such leading lieder interpreters as Janet Baker, Ian Bostridge, and John Mark Ainsley, along with many more.
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GET STARTED IN CLASSICAL: ARCHIVE
It's the beginning of a new year and time to take stock of our series of introductions to the great composers and landmark compositions. Bookmark this link to our archive of Get Started in Classical features, which include essays and audio tours.
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DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: HANDEL
It may not be his best-known work, but Handel's oratorio "L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed il Moderato" was one of his most inspired ideas, and it features a score particularly detailed and colorful, even for this master of dramatic flair. Download excerpts featuring David Daniels (Amazon.com's Opera & Vocal Artist of the Year) and Ian Bostridge.
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AMAZON.COM zSHOPS
Amazon.com's zShops are filled with items classical music lovers will enjoy. Check out the section on Sheet Music for a wide selection of piano instruction materials, orchestral scores, and more.
Sheet Music:
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"Classical Music for Reflection and Meditation - Magnificat"
Magnificat
Our Price: $5.97
Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Naxos
Format: Audio CD
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"Classical Music for Reflection and Meditation -Dixit Dominus"
Dix Dominus
Our Price: $5.97
Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Naxos
Format: Audio CD
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"Jewish Chamber Music / Zimmermann, Nemtsov"
Alexander Weprik(Composer), et al
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Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Hanssler
Format: Audio CD
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"Classical Music for Reflection and Meditation - Miserere"
Miserere
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Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Naxos
Format: Audio CD
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"Music of the Light"
Lynn Geyer
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Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Orchard
Format: Audio CD
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"Impressions Of Gypsy Music"
Various Artists
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Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Naive
Format: Audio CD
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"Music for Girls"
George Elliott
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Release date: January 9, 2001
Label: Orchard
Format: Audio CD
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"Slaughter The Weak"
Jungle Rot
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Release date: January 16, 2001
Label: Pavement Music -- Dna --
Format: Audio CD
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"In The Mix"
Robbie Rivera
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Release date: January 16, 2001
Label: Max Music -- Ryko --
Format: Audio CD
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"Merengue Con Diente"
Vargas, et al
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Release date: January 16, 2001
Label: Max Music -- Ryko --
Format: Audio CD
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Reflections on American Music : The Twentieth Century and the New Millennium
A Collection of Essays Presented in Honor of the College Music Society)
by James R. Heintze(Editor), et al
Our Price: $42.00
Publication date: November 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Music; United States; 20th century
ISBN: 1576470709
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Celtic Music : 3rd Ear - The Essential Listening Companion
by Kenny Mathiesen
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Publication date: November 29, 2000
Binding: Paperback
Subjects: Music; History & Criticism; Ethnic
ISBN: 0879306238
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All Music Guide : The Expert's Guide to the Best Recordings (All Music Guide, 4th Ed)
by Vladimir Bogdanov(Editor), et al
Our Price: $26.36 -- You Save: $6.59 (20%)
Publication date: November 30, 2000
Binding: Paperback
Subjects: Music; Sound Recording And Recordings; Reference
ISBN: 0879306270
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Comedy in Music: A Historical Bibliographical Resource Guide
by Enrique Alberto Arias
Our Price: $79.50
Publication date: November 30, 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Music; Music History And Criticism +; Techniques
ISBN: 0313299803
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Music of the Raj : A Social and Economic History of Music in Late Eighteenth-Century Anglo-Indian Society
by Ian Woodfield
Our Price: $74.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: British; India; Music
ISBN: 0198164335
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The Lute in Britain : A History of the Instrument and Its Music (Oxford Early Music Series (Unnumbered).)
by Matthew Spring
Our Price: $99.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Lute; Great Britain; History
ISBN: 0198166206
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Music Theory in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford Monographs on Music)
by Rebecca Herissone
Our Price: $72.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Music theory; History; Music
ISBN: 0198167008
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The Madrigals of Michelangelo Rossi (Monuments of Renaissance Music, No 10)
by Brian Mann(Editor)
Our Price: $150.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Music; Medieval Music; Vocal Music Of Specific Genres
ISBN: 0226503380
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Music and the Racial Imagination
by Radano, et al
Our Price: $75.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Subjects: Music and race; Music; Ethnomusicology
ISBN: 0226701999
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Music and the Racial Imagination
by Radano, et al
Our Price: $29.00
Publication date: December 2000
Binding: Paperback
Subjects: Music and race; Music; Ethnomusicology
ISBN: 0226702006
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"Toch: Music for Cello / Honigberg, Brake, Alimena, et al"
Ernst Toch(Composer), et al
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: Albany Records
Format: Audio CD
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"Puros Corridos Pa' La Raza Maciza"
Clave Nortena
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: Sony Discos/Luna Music
Format: Audio CD
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"Svoboda: Piano Trios / Havlak, Vlasankova, Svoboda"
T. Svoboda
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: North Pacific Music
Format: Audio CD
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"Balada: The Abstract & The Ethnic, Orchestral Music"
Leonardo Balada(Composer), et al
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: Albany Records
Format: Audio CD
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"Joseph Waters"
Joseph Waters(Composer)
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: North Pacific Music
Format: Audio CD
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"Exitos Del 2000"
Banda Arkangel R-15, Los Lagos
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: Sony Discos/Luna Music
Format: Audio CD
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"Music for Midi Trombone"
Rodney Oakes
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Release date: November 21, 2000
Label: Innova -- Bayside --
Format: Audio CD
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"The Annoying Music Show's The Annoying Music Show Holiday CD"
Jim Nayder
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Release date: November 27, 2000
Label:
Format: Audio CD
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"Fahir's Music"
Fahir Atakoglu
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Release date: November 28, 2000
Label: Koch World
Format: Audio CD
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"Philipp & Xaver Scharwenka: Romantic Piano Music / Kolner"
Franz Xaver Scharwenka(Composer), et al
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Release date: November 28, 2000
Label: Koch Schwann
Format: Audio CD
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