Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! During World War II both Allied and Axis powers undertook a massive effort in broadcasting and producing music generally for three reasons:* To boost the morale of troops and civilians suffering under the war. * To attract enemy troops to propaganda programs. * To express a vision of the nature of their regimes.For the humans drawn in to the war the motivations would be more honest. Songs would provide nostalgia for peace, to motivate them, or to promise a better future. In the case of Nazi Germany, which took an active role in defining proper music, the act of listening to music took on a political role it did not in the United Kingdom or the USA. For example, listening to jazz in Germany could be an act of political opposition since so many Jazz musicians were African Americans or Jews. But despite a long history of hostility towards Jazz in the United States the troops and young people suffering the hardships of war were fed a mass of black inspired music with no political demand that men about to risk their lives listen to proper white music. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated how-to guide takes you inside the world of creating music for film and television. Packed with case studies and insider's tips, The Reel World - 2nd Edition lets you learn by example how to ensure musical aesthetics, use the most effective technology and techniques, understand the business side of things, and nurture positive relationships with music editors, directors, producers, recording engineers, musicians, and music executives. The author uses his real-world experience working as a composer in television and film to show you what it takes to do the job, how it's done, and how you can do it, too. If you want to work as a composer, scoring for film, television and other visual media, The Reel World - 2nd Edition is just the guide you've been looking for to help you get started in this fascinating and rewarding industry. The books's companion website, lists updates, additions, resources, and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Most practical book!
I browsed Amazon for a number of film scoring books, and chose this one because it looked very practical and helpful -- and I was right!! If you're even thinking about a career in film music - big leagues or no - this book is a MUST. Rona covers every nook and cranny, from the spotting sessions to setting up a studio, and the different jobs (not just composer!) that are offered in film music. He's been "through the system" so to speak, and knows what he's talking about! Five stars!!! ... Read more

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLDSeries: Piano Vocal Artist: Louis ArmstrongSheet Music ... Read more

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Part of a series designed to present music in a broad context of socio-political, intellectual and religious life, this work considers music as a series of responses to social forces. ... Read more

Product Description
The 3-CD set was produced by Sony BMG Music Entertainment and includes over 100 musical selections (a combination of excerpts and complete tracks). The majority of these are drawn from high-quality, professional recordings by the likes of Ravi Shankar, Tito Puente, Santana, Shakti, Angélique Kidjo, Hossam Ramzy, John Coltrane, The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers, and Yo-Yo Ma.

The CD tracks are closely integrated with the text through Guided Listening Experience narratives, Guided Listening Quick Summaries, Musical Guided Tours, Music Making Exercises, and visual illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

No music?!
Ok so I put the CD's in the player and hear nothing! What the heck??? I literally hear nothing playing from any of the CD's.... RETURNING! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Great, Fun, Comprehensive Look at Western Music
This is a very good book. Published in England, it is a chronological listing of what the editor and writers have tagged as the defining moments in western music, starting withthe 20th century,through approximately 2004.They are divided into three, maybe four general categories, Key Events, Key People, and Key Concerts and Key Songs. There are two items on each page.Also, the photographs are excellent with some not so often seen ones.

What I like about this is that it covers all genres of popular music, not trying to pit some types of music against others.And, the writing is intelligent.For example, Bruce Springsteen's album, The River, is listed as a key album and the writer goes on to compare Springsteen's "The River" to the Clash's, "London Calling", bringing out some very insightful information, that as a longstanding Springsteen fan,I had not considered.

The publisher has also put out "Defining Moments" books on movies and books.Though I haven't seen those, if they are as good as this one on music, they will be well worth checking out.
... Read more

Product Description
We know Robert Schumann in many ways: as a visionary composer, a seasoned journalist, a cultured man of letters, and a genius who, having passed his mantle on to the young Brahms, succumbed to mental illness in 1856. Drawing on recent pathbreaking research, this collection offers new perspectives on this seminal nineteenth-century figure.In Part I, Leon Botstein and Michael P. Steinberg assess Schumann's efforts to place music at the center of German culture, in public and private sectors. Bernhard R. Appel offers a probing source study of one of Schumann's most personal works, the Album fr die Jugend, Op. 68, while John Daverio considers the generic identity of Das Paradies und die Peri, and Jon W. Finson reexamines the first version of the Eichendorff Liederkreis. Gerd Nauhaus investigates Schumann's approach to the symphonic finale, and R. Larry Todd considers the intractable issue of quotations and allusions in Schumann's music. Part II presents letters and memoirs, including unpublished correspondence between Clara Schumann and Felix and Paul Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. In Part III, conflicting critical views of Schumann are juxtaposed. Some of these sources are translated into English for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"Hats off, folks, . . . a great find!"
Schumann and His World is a marvelous reference for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Schumann: the man, his music, how his contemporaries viewed him, what was happening socially and in the music world at the time, and what a range of historians have to say about all of the above. It is not a biography, but rather a collection of essays, letters, memoirs and musical criticism written by Schumann himself, his 19th century contemporaries (incl Mendelssohn, Liszt, Brendel and Weingartner), and by historians of both the 19th and 20th centuries. As a source of primary materials, it is a terrific companion to a biography (I found Jensen's 2001 biography to be great). For many it may not replace the need for a biography, since there are many references that may not be understood without at least a rudimentary knowledge of Schumann's life and his music. As a lecturer in music history, I can say that this book enriched my overall knowledge of Schumann's life and his music, and the music of his time, by one hundred percent. ... Read more

Product Description
Once thought to be a provincial composer of only passing interest to eccentrics, Leos Janácek (1854-1928) is now widely acknowledged as one of the most powerful and original creative figures of his time. Banned for all purposes from the Prague stage until the age of 62, and unable to make it even out of the provincial capital of Brno, his operas are now performed in dynamic productions throughout the globe. This volume brings together some of the world's foremost Janácek scholars to look closely at a broad range of issues surrounding his life and work. Representing the latest in Janácek scholarship, the essays are accompanied by newly translated writings by the composer himself.

The collection opens with an essay by Leon Botstein who clarifies and amplifies how Max Brod contributed to Janácek 's international success by serving as "point man" between Czechs and Germans, Jews and non-Jews. John Tyrrell, the dean of Janácek scholars, distills more than thirty years of research in "How Janácek Composed Operas," while Diane Paige considers Janácek's liason with a married woman and the question of the artist's muse. Geoffrey Chew places the idea of the adulterous muse in the larger context of Czech fin de siècle decadence in his thoroughgoing consideration of Janácek's problematic opera Osud. Derek Katz examines the problems encountered by Janácek's satirically patriotic "Excursions of Mr. Broucek" in the post-World War I era of Czechoslovak nationalism, while Paul Wingfield mounts a defense of Janácek against allegations of cruelty in his wife's memoirs. In the final essay, Michael Beckerman asks how much true history can be culled from one of Janácek's business cards.

The book then turns to writings by Janácek previously unpublished in English. These not only include fascinating essays on Naturalism, opera direction, and Tristan and Isolde, but four impressionistic chronicles of the "speech melodies" of daily life. They provide insight into Janácek's revolutionary method of composition, and give us the closest thing we will ever have to the "heard" record of a Czech pre-war past-or any past, for that matter. ... Read more

Product Description
In his quest to trace the roots of klezmer, the traditional instrumental music of Yiddish-speaking Jews, author Henry Sapoznik tells a fascinating story of survival against all odds, of a musical legacy so potent it can still be heard. This expanded second edition also includes a CD of klezmer music from Dave Tarras, Andy Statman, Naftule Brandwein, The Klezmatics, and others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Klezmer early references
Klezmer, I believe, was originally the name of a minor corrupt prince of Middle Ages middle Europe somewhere:We learn from the late Rt. Hon.
Howard Baden-Baden of Baden-on-Baden, former Deputy Under Secretary for Exterior Concerns, and author of Europe's Curious Old Folkways: Survey of Oddities from the Hind Leg of Europe (Footbrace Books, 1951, illus.) of the earliest specific reference to this distinctive music:

"Another interesting circumstance arose on the heels of a mild dispute at the royal court concerning apples, of which we now know nothing else.
Apparently later in that year of 1486, on the surreptitious orders of someone close to the Prince, in order to punish the disputatious lords and their toadies and minions, the heretofore ineffectual Grand Viscount Klezmer IV was called upon to act.Klezmer, himself fairly described as a toady but loyal to the ruler, was bidden to punish the querulous offenders.
Accompanied by an odd cacophony of traditionally foreign music of a screechy and feverish tempo, Klezmer called them all to supper and fed the hapless lesser nobles a disagreeable crabapple and thistle soup that made all of them very slightly ill.In after years, this feast degenerated to a somewhat ceremonial public dinner to commemorate the humiliation.
Klezmer's step-grandnephew and successor Vlad the Imbiber (sometimes styled Vlad Copious) apparently discontinued the tradition by 1512 when the event was last mentioned in the great Chronicles of Midmorning Events.The memory however is still recalled locally with an admixture of irritation and queasiness.Modern tourism certainly benefited from the hoary legend when in the summer of 1939 the town, eager to siphon some residue of loose change from the more popular Dracula-themed events some considerable distance away, reopened the old castle kitchen and started serving a faux thistle and crabapple gruel, complete with a herdsman posing as a suitably attired and impaired Vlad, spouting rude remarks after 3:00 o'clock p.m. to the gathered general crowd.The event proved popular over the next few years of the recently concluded excitement, first with visiting soldiers of the famed Hermann Goering Division and later, of course, with the heroes of the Glorious October Brigade from the Minsk area.The local event's reputation spread to the homes of those soldiers and to far-flung borders beyond."

He's got me until the end
The first three-fourths of this book are a fascinating cultural history of a style of music I love but know little about, and I found it all extremely enlightening.The last quarter of the book I frankly found a little self-serving, as it basically details Sapoznik's own career.Frankly, I kinda felt he was bragging a bit.

Henry Knows the beat of klezmer!
For those who go to klez-kamp and those who don't.....this is a G-R-E-A-T book for the Klez-Fan

PLAY KLEZMER, PLAY!
A delightful and informative romp through the footstomping, handclapping world of Klezmer music that's perfect for both experts and novices -- you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy klezmer and this book! Mazal Tov HenrySapoznik!

Great Book
For a history of Yiddish instumental music in America this is the Book to get. Hank Snow(poznick) live's and breaths the music in the pages of this must have book. ... Read more

Album Description
Love triangles, glitz, melodrama, music and tragi-comedy areall part of the hugely successful musical-movie genre known as Bollywood.The Rough Guide To Bollywood Gold showcases the leading singers andrevisits some of the most glamorous movies from this vast and everexpanding scene.

Artists include:Jolly Mukherjee & Sridevi, Kishore Kumar, Rahul DevBurman, Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoorand Shailendra Singh ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Why is Aishwarya Rai on the cover of this classics CD?
I like this CD just fine, but I have a picky issue with the packaging. It confused me to find that the "Gold" refers to a classic Bollywood era roughly 1960-1980. I was expecting a more contemporary collection because World Music slapped Aishwarya on the cover as an obvious marketing ploy. Why not one of the heartthrobs of the era?

The songs all have great character; the info in the booklet about performers and careers is nice; the extra data track interview with DJ Ritu is half good (she is interesting - the interviewer, unfortunately, is a dork who seems prepared only with superficial questions); some of the songs make me want to seek out the movies, and it was nice to hear the live, very rare version of R.D. Burman singing his own Mehbooba Mehbooba (though I think I like the version in Sholay better).

Bollywood at Its Beautiful and Bombastic Best
If you're looking for a fix of Indian pop culture, this CD will definitely do the trick! "Bollywood Gold" is full of wonderfully vibrant music, all of it overflowing with powerful emotion spiced up with a healthy dash of sentimentality and melodrama.The instrumentation is good, of course, but in this genre vocals are the main thing, and so this CD features some of the classic voices of Indian film--beautiful and charismatic voices either feminine or masculine (and highly distinct in that regard) that tell a story in their own right, that are able to evoke a wide range of feelings in the listener regardless of whether the latter understands the lyrics or not. If you've seen these movies, you'll relive them here for sure. If you haven't, like me, then the enchantment of this music might trick you into thinking you have--or else inspire you to go looking for them afterwards.

As with most "Rough Guide" CDs, this one excels in giving the listener a fine range of tracks both listenable and representative, all lovingly handpicked by an expert aficionado of that specific musical form. "Bollywood Gold" comes to us courtesy of DJ Ritu, who in the liner notes does a wonderful job of introducing the different singers (Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Jolly Mukherjee, and Mahendra Kapoor) as well as giving a crash course in the social history of playback singing in Indian film, after which each track (in order) is explained in good, relevant detail (including but not limited to what movie the song comes from). All of this comes after a movingly personal reflection on what this wonderful music meant to Indian immigrant families in England, of how important it was in their lives--making this quite a bit more meaningful than the average "greatest hits" album. And, as this listener found out, some of that enthusiasm is definitely contagious. ... Read more

Amazon.com
This collection of tribal, ambient, and folk music by Australia's aboriginal artists and tribes is an interesting snapshot of the various indigenous faces of Australia. Listeners will find much of the famed didgeridoo, sometimes as the cornerstone for tribal dreamtime rituals, sometimes leading the melodies in modern electronic pop music, sometimes setting the dark, ominous tone for ambient music. Highlights include Archie Roach's melodic folk tune "Native Born," a sweet lament about the loss of aboriginal land and culture; Gapu's "Celebration" with Rachel Nehanda Woods's lovely chant; and Ruby Hunter's "Kurongk Boy, Kurongk Girl." But make no mistake, the Rough Guide folks include enough traditional tribal chant to please those looking for authentic Australian aboriginal music. An excellent comprehensive introduction. --Karen Karleski ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fantastic!
Nice variety of tracks and instruments; male and female vocals.I'm extremely impressed with the notes as well as the "extras".This version contains a data track, some Rough Guide book content, a competition and other items on the CD if you stick it in the computer.Very thorough!

Abo CD
This was the only "authentic" Aboriginal CD of the bunch. The others didn't include the folk music. Nice collection of music. ... Read more

Product Description
World Sound Matters is an anthology of music from around the world, comprising: 2 CDs of 58 traditional music recordings, representing 35 different countries * notated transcriptions of each recorded example * explanatory texts covering the special context of each style and its musical content * 2 sets of progressive pupil listening-based questions for each musical style. Each unit is free-standing and can be used effectively on its own. Alternatively, units can be combined to provide an introduction to the musical traditions of the world. The result is a publication which should be of practical use to a wide range of musicians, from secondary school teachers to their pupils, from adults interested in knowing more about world music to music students wishing to specialize in this field, and to composers. Partial contents: Japan * Gagakucourt music * Korea * Music for Komun'go * China * Tibetan Ritual Music * Mongolia * Diphonic Singing * Vietnam * Work Song * Laos * Music for Kaen * Indonesia * Javanese Dance-Opera Philippines * Palawan Love Song * Solomon Islands * Rihe Panpipe Ensemble * Australia * Arnhem Land Aboriginal Music * India * Music for Nagasvaram * Iran * Art Music for Ensemble * Turkey * Music for Ney * Egypt * Quran Recitation * Egypt * Music for Folk Ensemble * Morocco * Nawba Music for Ensemble * Algeria * Music for Ghayta and Bendir * Mali * Griot Song * Ethiopia * Song with Masenqo * Central African Republic * Song with Sanza * Gabon * Yodelling Exercise * Burundi * Whispered Song * Mozambique * Music for Timbila * Russia * Play Song * Armenia * Music for K'amancha * Georgia * Work Song * Romania * Music for Cimpoi * Greece * Rebetiko Urban Popular Music * Spain * Cante Flamenco * Portugal * Fado Urban Song * Norway * Hardingfele * Canada * Inuit Throat-Game * US * Texas Folk Song * Trinidad * Music for Steel Band * Colombia * Dance for Chirimia Ensemble * Brazil * Ritual Dance-Song. ... Read more

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From Latin America to the Philippines, discover a diverse sampling of musical heritages with this global collection of songs, articles and activities for the music classroom and beyond! Experience authentic folk songs, children's songs and work songs alon ... Read more

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The signature sound of Cuban music is popular throughout the world.At the heart of it is the clavethe underlying groove that defines the music of Cuba.The clave is not always easy to learn, but author Jeff Peretz breaks down this fundamental rhythm in Guitar Atlas: Cuba, proving that the clave can be played by any guitarist.For those who do not even play Cuban music, the concepts in this book improve sense of rhythm and syncopation in any style.

Guitar Atlas: Cuba also explores the African and European cultural influences that shaped modern Cuban musicas well as the impact of the political events of the 20th century.Learn about different styles of music from all over the island and the musicians who popularized them.Also, explore the unique instruments of Cuba, such as the tres, botija, marimbula, and a multitude of percussion instruments.

The CD included demonstrates all the examples and compositions featured in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Get some rhythm going!
Great book.Although the other reviews talk about the theory, (I am theory savvy and I agree that it's important to learn it) you don't have to know it to enjoy this book.You can just jump right in and play by ear.I like all the different time signatures.The pieces are great.My favorite is the Moroccan 6 in 12/16!Most of them are in 4/4. The music is challenging and very inspiring. I've definitely advanced as a player with this book.It is intended for intermediate to advanced players. If you play guitar and have an interest in Middle Eastern music you have to get this book!

GREAT BOOK for Oud and guitar player!
Given that I am a verteran guitarist and a recent student of the oud I was thrilled to see someone put out a book that looked at middle eastern music from a traditional context while applying it to the guitar! This certainly has made it easier to understand some of the techniquest around the music and how they are applied to both instruments. This gendre of music is quite technical and has its challenges when played on the oud, but for the guitar it becomes even more of a task to transcribe! It was a task that was accomplished here! The CD is excellent and the book's notation and coverage of the material is superb! I Highly recommend it!!!!

More of this, please!
"At first I was skeptical but after reading the book and playing the examples I must say this is a must have for guitar players looking to get exposure to arabic music."

I couldn't agree more. This book has just the right amount of theory and musical examples to present the flavour of middle eastern music. In fact, it is much more comprehensive than you'd expect from it's slim size (48 pages). I was particularly delighted to find several full musical pieces - I had feared that the book would just be a catalogue of scales, modes and "licks". There's very little to complain about here - though I would have liked to see more examples of the use of microtones (not emphasized because of the difficulties of adapting these to the modern guitar).

Great book, amazing cd
Being an oud player as well as a guitar player I was exited to see a book on playing maqam on the guitar.At first I was skeptical but after reading the book and playing the examples I must say this is a must have for guitar players looking to get exposure to arabic music.The cd that comes with it is made up of all the examples in the book but it also is great to listen to for pleasure. I dug Jeff Peretz' other book "Zen and the Art of Guitar".I look forward to his next. ... Read more