Overview

Revealing much about the workings of the musical world, these conversations will not only be essential reading for composers and composition students, but also contemporary music lovers more generally Julian Anderson is renowned internationally as one of the leading composers of his generation. This substantial book of conversations with the scholar and critic Christopher Dingle captures Anderson's thoughts and memories in-depth for the first time, not only providing biographical information and background material, but also capturing the workings of a remarkable mind. It is rare to find a composer prepared to speak extensively and honestly on as broada range of topics as Anderson. These extraordinarily diverse conversations range far beyond his own compositions and even beyond the sphere of music, exploring issues of broad cultural interest. Of particular value, providing insights into the practicalities and psychology of composing, are the glimpses of Anderson's thoughts on works in progress during the conversations, including the period from composing the score for his ENO opera Thebans to its first production, as well as his violin concerto, his 3rd String Quartet and his Berlin Philharmonic commission Incantesimi. Anderson's work with dance, his love of the voice and his varied collaborations with orchestras, soloists and conductors are also explored. With their wide range of musical and artistic topics, these conversations will be essential reading not only for composers and composition students, but for those interested inculture more generally.

Full Product Details

9781783274987

Table of Contents

Reviews

Erudite yet informal and wholly engaging, every page yields fascinating insights on a wide range of interrelated topics. From dance to opera; Messiaen to Croatian folk; spectralism to sampling; musical memory to perception, sound and resonance; music is never seen in isolation from society but as a vibrant, constantly evolving communicative force. The glossary alone is a treasure-trove, written by Anderson and reflecting his quietly brilliant unorthodoxy. FIVE STARS.--Steph Power BBC Music Magazine Here we have another beautifully produced and thought-provoking text from the Boydell Press. . . . It is abundantly clear that Anderson's sympathies and ideas range widely beyond music to embrace issues of broad cultural interest. The value of the book is greatly enhanced by glimpses of the motivation behind some of his most recent work - the scope of the book takes us to the immediate present. . . . [P]rovides a stimulating insight into one of today's most interesting musical figures.--Alistair MacDonald British Music Society The contextual knowledge, analytical abilities, realism, personal insight and honesty of emotional response to music of all forms are dazzling, from both the composer Anderson and his friend the musicologist Christopher Dingle.--Andrew Mellor Gramophone

Erudite yet informal and wholly engaging, every page yields fascinating insights on a wide range of interrelated topics. From dance to opera; Messiaen to Croatian folk; spectralism to sampling; musical memory to perception, sound and resonance; music is never seen in isolation from society but as a vibrant, constantly evolving communicative force. The glossary alone is a treasure-trove, written by Anderson and reflecting his quietly brilliant unorthodoxy. FIVE STARS. -- Steph Power * BBC Music Magazine * Here we have another beautifully produced and thought-provoking text from the Boydell Press. . . . It is abundantly clear that Anderson's sympathies and ideas range widely beyond music to embrace issues of broad cultural interest. The value of the book is greatly enhanced by glimpses of the motivation behind some of his most recent work - the scope of the book takes us to the immediate present. . . . [P]rovides a stimulating insight into one of today's most interesting musical figures. -- Alistair MacDonald * British Music Society * The contextual knowledge, analytical abilities, realism, personal insight and honesty of emotional response to music of all forms are dazzling, from both the composer Anderson and his friend the musicologist Christopher Dingle. -- Andrew Mellor * Gramophone * The ground covered [in the book] is both wide-ranging and often abundantly engaging. The shop talk will be of particular interest to composers. . . . Students will learn a great deal about banishing the blank page from Anderson's imaginative approach to creativity. . . . [A] fine resource for scholars and performers as well as composers. -- Christian Carey * TEMPO *

Author Information

JULIAN ANDERSON is a leading composer, teacher and writer on music. He has composed works in a wide range of media and has held prominent musical and teaching posts in Britain and the USA. He is currently Professor of Composition and Composer in Residence at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. CHRISTOPHER DINGLE is Professor of Music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has authored/edited five books on Messiaen, including Messiaen's Final Works and The Life of Messiaen. He is also the editor of The Cambridge History of Music Criticism and has written for BBC Music Magazine for over 25 years.

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