Most popular Orchestras books

A comprehensive guide to the techniques of orchestral playing and the development of non-professional orchestras. It covers various areas of orchestral music-making - instrumental technique and combination, ensemble, layout, repertoire and presentation.

This guide to the orchestra and orchestral life is unique in its breadth of coverage. It includes topics such as orchestral history and repertory, orchestration, scorereading, conducting, international orchestras, recording, as well as consideration of what it means to be an orchestral musician, an educator, or an informed listener.

This handy reference guide from Classic FM takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the greatest orchestras at home and abroad, stopping off to explore the world of orchestral instruments, as well as making plenty of musical recommendations along the way.

Highlife Giants is an intimate portrait of the pioneering artistes of West Africa's vibrant music scene from the 1920s onwards. It is packed full of inside information from stars including E.T Mensah, Kofo Ghanaba, King Bruce, Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo, and Ignace De Souza.

Described by Walton as the 'greatest symphony since Beethoven', Vaughan Williams's fourth symphony is noted for its dissonant harmonic language. This new scholarly edition, edited by David Matthews, will replace the existing 1935 OUP edition. The preliminary text will include a preface, sources and editorial method, and detailed textual notes.

A guide for professional musicians on how to succeed in joining an orchestra or ensemble, and how to survive as an orchestral musician during their career.

Bringing together young musicians from Palestine, Israel and the other countries of the Middle East, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is both one of the most acclaimed youth orchestras in the world and a powerful ray of hope in a war-torn region. This book explores the orchestra's journey through the remarkable stories of its members.

for wind orchestra

Exactly what does a conductor do in front of an orchestra? Internationally renowned conductor Christopher Seaman offers lively and informative answers in this wise yet humorous book.

This edition of Walton's celebrated Viola Concerto (1962 version) has been off-printed from the William Walton Edition full score, and combines the scholarship of the Edition with the practical benefits of the smaller format. An introduction is provided by the volume editor, Christopher Wellington.

How are conductors' silent gestures magicked into sound by a group of more than a hundred brilliant but belligerent musicians? From London to Budapest, Bamberg to Vienna, this title recreates great orchestral concerts as a collection of countless human and musical stories.

A biography of George Szell, one of the greatest orchestra and opera conductors of the twentieth century. It also lists Szell's conducting repertoire and includes a comprehensive discography.

The first book dedicated to the breakthrough work by one of the most acclaimed composers today, Arvo Part's Tabula Rasa tells the story of its composition and premiere against the backdrop of late Soviet culture and the end of the Cold War.

The story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is here told by its musical director from its inception to its eventual end.

Dvorak's Cello Concerto, composed during his second stay in America, is one of the most popular works in the orchestral repertoire. This book is a detailed guide intended for concert-goers and students of this well-loved work, considering aspects of historical background, form, virtuosity, performance and the concerto's rich personal content.

The Orchestra: A Very Short Introduction considers the structure, roots, and day-to-day functioning of the modern philharmonic society. Far from an anachronistic organization that cannot long survive, it is shown to be powerful political and social force, occupying critical positions in cultural diplomacy, national identity, and civic pride.

This is the first book to expose the relationship between the Nazi Party and the Berlin Philharmonic. At the heart of this story is the iconic conductor, Wilhelm Furtwangler, a figure who has aroused fierce debate and his close friendship with Goebbels.

This volume presents biographical and critical essays of the leading orchestral conductors of US nationality, or of non-US citizens holding permanent appointments in the US, during the twenty-first century.

The Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra was composed in 1953-4 to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the LSO and was written for the orchestra's principal tuba player, Philip Catelinet. It was the first major concerto to be written for the instrument, and remains today the outstanding work of its kind.

The story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq, its origins, troubles, many achievements, and its eventual end.

This book answers unusual questions from classical music lovers about things they have always wondered but didn't know who to ask.The answers come from professional musicians and give a glimpse into how musicians think and talk about their profession. Readers will find themselves asking "Who knew!"

A heartfelt and subtly beautiful tribute to the dead of the First World War, Vaughan Williams' Third Symphony is amongst his most powerful works. Faber Music publishes this long-awaited hardback critical edition.

Thomas Schuttenhelm's book presents a comprehensive commentary on Michael Tippett's orchestral music. Narrated by the composer's letters and writings, and supported by evidence from his sketchbooks and manuscripts, this study of his creative cycles explores the intentions of the composer, and the multiplicity of meanings that reside within his works.