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The Thames and Hudson Encyclopaedia of 20th-Century Music
The Thames and Hudson Encyclopaedia of 20thCentury Music Author:Paul Griffiths Here is an invaluable guide to western classical music in the 20th century, compiled by the leading authority on the subject. More than 1000 entries cover the whole range of composers, both individually and in such groupings as the Second Viennese School and Les Six; terms such as aleatory and non-retrogradable rhythm are defined; musical instru... more »ments are discussed, both those newly invented (theremin, ondes martenot) and traditional ones with a 20th-century application. There are also entries on institutions and festivals (IRCAM, Darmstadt, Aldeburgh) and on ensembles specializing in music of the period. Individuals - Beecham and Klemperer, Auden and Cocteau- are included where their contribution has been particularly substantial. Lists of works and suggestions for further reading are provided, and the musical landmarks of the century each receive their own entry. A chronological list of works from 1901 to 1985 enables one to appreciate the complexity of the cross-currents in 20th-century composition, while a series of entries on broad themes such as analysis, broadcasting, politics and recording completes the coverage of a field more varied and multidimensional than that of any other period of musical history.« less