THE ART OF THE PIANO Encyclopaedia of Performers, Literature and Recordings - Hardcover

Dubal, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1850432171 ISBN 13: 9781850432173

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 1990

Synopsis

This is the only complete and up-to-date book profiling every major pianist (thousands) and their essential repertoire and recordings. This third edition is completely revised (second edition: 1995 Harvest Books, ISBN# 0-15-600019-9), with hundreds more entries and updated information about existing entries. The book contains a CD for the first time featuring rare performances. "For all those interested in the piano, this book will provide great insight and knowledge. It must be read by everyone who loves the instrument." - Vladimir Horowitz "The Art of the Piano is the best companion a piano aficionado could ask for." - Baltimore Sun

About this title

From Library Journal

As a basic handbook for piano enthusiasts, this is an informative and well-researched volume. The first section offers capsule biographies of pianists through history, alphabetically arranged, that assess the stylistic or pianistic traits of each. Recordings--or, in the case of historical figures, contemporary reports on playing styles--are cited for documentation. The second section presents a critical survey of the important piano literature, solo and concerto, with a selective discography for each, based on the author's comparative listening. The amount of space accorded each pianist, as well as the author's critical commentaries, are of necessity highly subjective; nevertheless, Dubal's choices give us an impression of careful judgment and genuine love of the subject. There are some surprising omissions (e.g., Gilbert Kalish, Christian Zacharias) in the biographical section, but the discography lists many additional performers. In sum, this book incorporates in one volume the kind of useful information contained in an historical work such as Harold Schonberg's The Great Pianists and in the various guides to the piano literature that are available.
- Susan Kagan, Hunter Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

". . . a critical appreciation of pianists' talents . . . [a] practical volume." -- American Reference Books Annual, 36th vol.

". . . inclusion of many concert pianists not . . . in standard biographical music dictionaries makes [Dubal's] work important for college music libraries." -- Choice, June 2005

"A reference book that is also compelling reading is a rare book." -- Music Teacher Magazine, June/July 2005

"Dubal presents an amazing wealth of information and does so in a genial but erudite way . . . [a] valuable book." -- American Record Guide, July/August 2005

"Dubal's supple language fits each portrait. . . . This is a bargain treasure. Let it entice, outrage, and inform you." -- Clavier, July/August 2005

"In its new guise, this important title effectively superseded earlier editions and is quite a bargain for libraries; highly recommended." -- Library Journal, February 1, 2005

"an excellent resource book . . . its spine will be getting many creases over the next few years." -- Piano Professional UK, April 2005

Edition details

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1850432171
• ISBN 13: 9781850432173
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 476