Incisive, to the point, pithy, and observant.
CHURCH TIMES
It is a remarkable effort of research and scholarship enhanced by the author being a distinguished composer and choral conductor in his own right: not surprisingly, he is particularly good on every aspect of Dyson's music. This [study of Dyson] is built to last.
GRAMOPHONE
Dyson's musical ... Read moreoutput is discussed extensively by Spicer... [whose] scrupulous contextualising of [these works] undoubtedly makes you listen with fresh understanding and enhanced empathy. BBC MUSIC
MAGAZINE
Compelling and valuable ... This material brings the book alive, and helps hold even the casual reader for page after page ... It is a great achievement and I marvel out how Paul Spicer found the time to research and write such a complete exposition, development and recapitulation of his subject. He is warmly to be congratulated and the book equally warmly to be welcomed.
ORGANISTS REVIEW
It is a strength of this book that Spicer's discussion of the music is both approachable and readable, and in this regard falls very much in the 'life and works' treatment of traditional musicology ... Spicer gives us a very well documented trail that tells us a great deal about the events of [Dyson's] life.
MUSICAL TIMES
First rate, thoroughly researched biography. It is the best kind of musical biography in that it not only gives a detailed insight into Dyson's life and music, but covers so many other related subjects. I cannot imagine any Dyson enthusiast or lover of British music wanting to be without this fine volume.
THE CLASSICAL REVIEWER
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