Published on the occasion of Schuller's sixtieth birthday, 'Musings' is a marvelous introduction to the man and his extraordinary range of musical experience, taste, and learning.
This collection of writings by Gunther Schuller—the first composer to be awarded the Elise L. Stoeger Composer's Chair of the Chamber Society of Lincoln Center—provides a marvelous introduction to the man and his extraordinary range of musical experience, taste, and learning. In Part I, "Jazz and the Third Stream," Schuller offers his reflections on jazz, insightful pieces on such figures as Duke Ellington, Cecil Taylor, and Sonny Rollins, and several essays on "the third stream," the genre where jazz and classical music intersect. Part II, "Music Performance and Contemporary Music," includes articles on the art of conducting, the future of opera, the question of a new classicism, and Schuller's own thoughts on his controversial opera The Visitation. The final section, "Music Aesthetics and Education," presents Schuller's reflections on such matters as form, structure, and symbol in music; the need for broadening the audience for quality music; and his vision of the ideal conservatory and the total musician.
Winner of Winner of the 1988 Sonneck Society's Irving Lowens Award for distinguished contributions to scholarship in American music..
“"Throughout these thirty-four articles...there runs a strong, exhilaratingcurrent of musical interest, and an ecumenical attitude toward the musicworld....As [Schuller] discusses his various concerns in this book, the readeris able to piece together a fascinating portrait of the authorhimself."--Allegro”
"Schuller is a powerful presence in American musical life--one of the most challenging consciences of our time. Musings reveals the exuberance and depth of his work."--Carol J. Oja, The New York Times Book Review "Like Apollo's lyre, Gunther Schuller has many strings and he brings a number of them to play in this fascinating collection of his thought."--Opera Journal "Rich in wise and provocative observation and comment. [Schuller] is appropriately passionate about the plight of good music in a musically illiterate culture, and eloquent on the problem of its survival."--Jazztimes "These collected writings, assembled from thirty years of activity and widely scattered sources, reflect a range and depth of commitment to the infinite variety of music that are unparalleled today."--The Boston Globe "Schuller is an authentic Renaissance man of music. This generous volume of fugitive writings is distinguished by both its authority and accessibility....Absorbing, often provocative reading for informed fans of any and all of the musics Schuller practices."--Booklist "Throughout these thirty-four articles...there runs a strong, exhilarating current of musical interest, and an ecumenical attitude toward the music world....As [Schuller] discusses his various concerns in this book, the reader is able to piece together a fascinating portrait of the author himself."--Allegro "Musings...represents [Schuller's] catholic interests and concerns. Each selection, ranging from liner and program notes to texts of speeches and essays, is thoughtful, clear, and in many cases, thought-provoking."--Artscape "Many...things here deserve warm commendation....Admirable." --Jazz Forum
Gunther Schuller is a composer, conductor, orchestral hornist, educator, author. He served as the Artistic Director at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood and as President of the New England Conservatory of Music. The author of the landmark studies Early Jazz and The Swing Era, Schuller was
also a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant.
This collection of writings by Gunther Schuller--the first composer to be awarded the Elise L. Stoeger Composer's Chair of the Chamber Society of Lincoln Center--provides a marvelous introduction to the man and his extraordinary range of musical experience, taste, and learning. In Part I, "Jazz and the Third Stream," Schuller offers his reflections on jazz, insightful pieces on such figures as Duke Ellington, Cecil Taylor, and Sonny Rollins, and several essays on "the third stream," the genre where jazz and classical music intersect. Part II, "Music Performance and Contemporary Music," includes articles on the art of conducting, the future of opera, the question of a new classicism, and Schuller's own thoughts on his controversial opera The Visitation. The final section, "Music Aesthetics and Education," presents Schuller's reflections on such matters as form, structure, and symbol in music; the need for broadening the audience for quality music; and his vision of the ideal conservatory and the total musician.
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