
The Robert Shaw Reader
Robert Blocker(Editor)
Yale University Press
Published on 11. October 2004
Book
Hardback
480 pages
978-0-300-10454-7 (ISBN)
Description
Robert Shaw is considered to be the most influential choral conductor in American history. This is the first collection of his letters and notes about music ever published-at another time, it is the book Shaw would have written himself.
The letters are an invigorating mix of music history and analysis, philosophy, inspiration, and practical advice. Shaw examines technique, but only as a means to an end-he moves beyond that, delving into the essence of what music is and what it has to say to us. The heart of the book is composed of Shaw's previously unpublished notes on fifteen major choral works, ranging from Bach's B Minor Mass to Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.
Often inspiring and sometime hilarious, these writings reveal the full breadth of Shaw's knowledge, intensity, and humor.
The letters are an invigorating mix of music history and analysis, philosophy, inspiration, and practical advice. Shaw examines technique, but only as a means to an end-he moves beyond that, delving into the essence of what music is and what it has to say to us. The heart of the book is composed of Shaw's previously unpublished notes on fifteen major choral works, ranging from Bach's B Minor Mass to Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.
Often inspiring and sometime hilarious, these writings reveal the full breadth of Shaw's knowledge, intensity, and humor.
Reviews / Votes
"I can't remember a time when I didn't know and revere Robert Shaw. The best of 20th century choral musicianship was to be found in him, and I am delighted that he now lives again in these pages for a new generation to discover and enjoy."-Peter J. Gomes, Harvard University "A significant book-making available in print the musical insights of arguably the preeminent choral conductor America has produced."-Milburn Price, former president of the American Choral Directors AssociationMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
13 b-w illus. + 50 musical examples
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
816 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-10454-7 (9780300104547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2004
1st Edition
Yale University Press
€81.95
Available for download
Person
Robert Blocker is the Lucy and Henry Moses Dean of the Yale School of Music.