Biographical Dictionary of Musicians - Hardcover

Slonimsky, Nicolas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0028702409 ISBN 13: 9780028702407

Publisher: Schirmer Books, 1978

Synopsis

This seventh edition of a classic work of musical biography provides: * Approximately 13,000 biographies of which 1,000 entries are new. *Many thoroughly revised and updated classic biographies (Brahms, Beethoven) * Expanded coverage of rock, jazz, country, and other popular musics. * A span of musical history from Ancient Greece to such recent events as the deaths of Marvin Gaye and Eubie Blake. * Complete coverage of such classical stars of today as cellist Yo-Yo-Ma, soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, and conductor Simon Rattle. * Extensive bibliographies and work lists. * Preparation by the world's leading musical lexicographer. Anyone with an interest in music - students, teachers, scholars, musicians, music lovers, record collectors, concertgoers.

About this title

Product Description:

Since its inception in 1900, Baker's has been the most enlightening and entertaining one-volume music dictionary available. In preparing this concise edition, Slonimsky slimmed down the seventh edition (1984) to about one-half its size, eliminating entries for music critics, theorists, librarians, church organists, and other secondary references. The remaining items have not been updated, though a memorial necrology through 1987 is included. Slonimsky's entries are generally shorter than those found in Grove's Dictionary , but his trademark droll wit and ironic observations more than compensate for the lack of detail. An essential purchase for libraries with small collections that do not already own the seventh edition.

Review:

The splendid Biographical Dictionary of Musicians was begun in 1900 by Theodore Baker. Nicolas Slonimsky undertook the fifth through eighth editions, infusing them with inimitable, irrepressible Slonimsky style. This edition contains more than 3.5 million words, all of them delightful, all penned by Slonimsky, making it one of the world's known treasures. From Aaltonen, Erkki (Finnish composer, born 1910) to Zylis-Gara, Teresa (Polish soprano, born 1935), the work exudes factual accuracy, critical (and opinionated) insights, fine humor, and a human touch. Though associated with classical music, Slonimsky has always embraced the new, and in this edition, hundreds of popular musicians (jazz, rock, blues, and more) join the traditional ranks.

About this edition

• Publisher: Schirmer Books
• Publication date: 1978
• ISBN 10: 0028702409
• ISBN 13: 9780028702407
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 6
• Number of pages: 1955