Editorial Reviews
Review
“Tawa considers the musical and social ramifications influencing the American composer between 1950 and 1985. He draws information from composers, music reviewers, and from his own listening experiences. Tawa's common theme is the gulf between what the composer (or critic) says about the music and how the public experiences it. He looks at the artistic turmoil of post-WW II, electronic sound, serialism, atonality, ethnic sources, and the traditional mainstream and its more venturesome composers. In a final essay, `Reconciliations,' Tawa advises the composer to cease isolation, to reconsider the use and function of music, to once again achieve a sense of community with a society in which he expresses faith, while not spurning tradition. More than 50 composers are considered.... Tawa ... goes beyond biographical detail to help the reader `understand the reasons for the deep abyss separating contemporary composer and listener.' Extensive discography and selective bibliography. Devoid of actual analysis of compositional styles, the book is appropriate for upper-division and graduate students, and for general readers.”–
Book Description
"Tawa considers the musical and social ramifications influencing the American composer between 1950 and 1985. He draws information from composers, music reviewers, and from his own listening experiences. Tawa's common theme is the gulf between what the composer (or critic) says about the music and how the public experiences it. . . . More than 50 composers are considered. . . . Tawa . . . goes beyond biographical detail to help the reader to `understand the reasons for the deep abyss separating contemporary composer and listener'." Choice
A Most Wondrous Babble: American Art Composers, Their Music, and the American Scene 1950-1985 (Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance)
A Most Wondrous Babble: American Art Composers, Their Music, and the American Scene 1950-1985 (Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance),Nicholas E. Tawa,Greenwood Press,0313256926,20th century,Composers,History & Criticism - General,History and criticism,Instruction & Study - Composition,Music,Music Of The 20th Century,United States,Music / General
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