When complete, this series will be the most exhaustive study available of the symphony in the Western tradition. This release shares with its predecessors (v. 2, CH, Apr'03, 40-4510; v. 4, CH, Mar'04, 41-3953; v.3, part B, CH, Sep'08, 46-0179) a brilliance of detail. Like the earlier releases, this volume provides complete analyses of each symphony, details of first performances, and rich bibliographic resources. Moreover, Brown (who died before part B of this volume was complete) discusses formal and technical detail in a comparative way, placing each work in the context not only of its composer, but of time and place. Examining areas of compositional creativity other than Vienna (volumes 2 and 4 concern the rich Viennese tradition), Brown analyzes the works of Franz Berwald, Joachim Raff, Mikhail Glinka and other relative unknowns and also calls attention to the influence of Mendelssohn (as mentor) and Rachmaninoff (as contrapuntalist). Written with wry good humor, this scholarly volume uncovers a rich world of previously under-appreciated masterpieces. Serious students of music—whether student, performer, conductor, or avid listener—will find this latest volume in this masterful series both informative and readable. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers.
M. Neil
Choice
This work is highly recommended for all larger public and academic libraries, and smaller libraries with specialized music collections. . . . conductors, musicologists, and others connected with symphonic music would certainly benefit from having these volumes in their libraries.
Robert L. Wick
American Reference Books Annual
Written with wry good humor, this scholarly volume uncovers a rich world of previously under-appreciated masterpieces. Serious students of music—whether student, performer, conductor, or avid listener—will find this latest volume in this masterful series both informative and readable. . . . Essential.November 2008
M. Neil
Augustana College (IL)