Overview

This is the first comprehensive study of the life and music of Alan Rawsthorne (1905-71), one of the leading British composers of the twentieth century. Rawsthorne came from the same generation of composers as Britten, Walton, Tippett, and Constant Lambert. Since his death in 1971 his music, after a period of comparative neglect, is currently enjoying a revival in performance and recording. The composer and pianist John McCabe here brings a lifetime's knowledge of the man and his music to a vivid portrait of Rawsthorne's life, drawing on conversations with his family, friends, and colleagues as well as contemporary documentation. Almost every one of his works is discussed, many of them in detail, demonstrating the versatility and range of Rawsthorne's vision, from popular works, such as Street Corner and the piano concertos, to the remarkable power of his lesser-known later works. In particular McCabe draws attention to the astonishing renewal of Rawsthorne's creative enery during his later period, and the immense broadening of his emotional and technical horizons leading to such masterpieces as the Third Symphony and Carmen Vitale. He makes a powerful case for a thorough reassessment of Rawsthorne's oeuvre. A complimentary CD provides the reader with a representative sample of Rawsthorne's music. Please note, customers are required to send away for the accompanying CD. To request your copy please email: apkmusicprom@ntlworld.com

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9780198166931

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Reviews

What is particularly satisfying is McCabe's expert blend of description and analysis, so that, by the time he has finished walking you through a work, you know both what it must sound like and why it works Tempo McCabe has a complete command of his subject, effortlessly perceiving detail in individual scores and relating them to Rawsthorne's larger output Tempo With each new work McCabe alights upon, you are sent back to the music to listen to it again, to hear what you missed before he had pointed out what makes it tick Tempo That audience is spledidly served by John McCabe, who provides it with a knowledgeable and just guide to the input and, secondarily, to the man. Paul Griffiths, TLS McCabe is a sage advocate, and one who addresses the music on its own terms: studiously and keenly ... Paul Griffiths, TLS John McCabe ... fills the greatest space available to him with erudition and generosity. His book will not soon be bettered. Paul Griffiths, TLS

`a great introduction to Rawsthorne's music and, as such, is a most welcome publication; Mc Cabe's enthusiasm for the music shines through and makes one curious to hear more of this vastly underrated composer.' MusicTeachers.co.uk `McCabe freely interweaves biography with analytical discussion. ... Passages such as that concerning the second piano concerto are particularly succesful in blending both historical and descriptive elements, as well as tracing the influences of composers such as Johannes Brahms. McCabe illustrates his points throughout with well-chosen musical examples. The book includes a chronology, which provides a useful potted history of Rawsthorne's life.' MusicTeachers.co.uk `a penetrating insight from an intersting viewpoint ... a compellng account of both Rawsthorne's life and work and, although McCabe does not describe their relationship as a close friendship, their work together has evidently provided much information concerning both the man's character and opinions.' MusicTeachers.co.uk `Rawthorne's emotional vicissitudes McCabe handles with clarity and sympathy, while as for the music, he writes analytically, if briefly, about every single piece. In addition, he often manages to find apt and interesting contemporary comment from writers as diverse as Wilfred Mellers and Herbert Howells, whose idiosyncratic yet favourable observations seem particularly charming and unexpected ... helpful that the volume comes with a CD of extracts.' Richard Drakeford, Musical Times, July 2000. `John McCabe's exceptionally fine and authoritative book ... McCabe ... presents us with a complete and fully rounded portrait of both Rawsthorne's life and personality. ... the real strength of this book lies in McCabe's excellent appraisal of, and detailed commentary on, Rawsthorne's music. A bonus lies in McCabe's also being a composer, who therefore, no doubt, treats his subject with a sympathy and insight not always afforded by such works ... a perfect balance between critical evaluation, musical analysis and informative documentation ... the book is exceptionally well furnished with musical examples. The free CD containing extracts from 14 of Rawsthorne's works is a nice touch ... a beautifully written and valuable study ... Highly recommended.' Michael Stewart, Gramophone, March 2000 `McCabe has written a perceptive, graciously generous, yet honest tribute from one composer to another whose work he admires and considers undervalued. Hissections on Rawsthorne's life, character, and times are both enjoyable and apposite.' Choice May 2000 `Detailed and authoritative... written with the considerable authority of a fellow composer... encompasses technical discussion and musical examples in such a way that the less expert reader need not be put off by it... fascinating stuff... a commanding and authoritative guide... It immediately assumes cornerstone importance in any music library which wishes in any way to cover music, and especially British music, in the twentieth century.' Lewis Foreman.

What is particularly satisfying is McCabe's expert blend of description and analysis, so that, by the time he has finished walking you through a work, you know both what it must sound like and why it works Tempo McCabe has a complete command of his subject, effortlessly perceiving detail in individual scores and relating them to Rawsthorne's larger output Tempo With each new work McCabe alights upon, you are sent back to the music to listen to it again, to hear what you missed before he had pointed out what makes it tick Tempo That audience is spledidly served by John McCabe, who provides it with a knowledgeable and just guide to the input and, secondarily, to the man. Paul Griffiths, TLS McCabe is a sage advocate, and one who addresses the music on its own terms: studiously and keenly ... Paul Griffiths, TLS John McCabe ... fills the greatest space available to him with erudition and generosity. His book will not soon be bettered. Paul Griffiths, TLS

Author Information

John McCabe is a composer and pianist

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