History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

A Dictionary of Pianists and Composers for the Pianoforte

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A Dictionary of Pianists and Composers for the Pianoforte
Ernst Pauer
Manufacturer: Library Reprints
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0722259735

Biographical Dictionary of Russian/Soviet Composers

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Biographical Dictionary of Russian/Soviet Composers

Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313244855

Book Description

This important new biographical dictionary is the most comprehensive single-volume work on Russian and Soviet composers published outside of the Soviet Union to date. Incorporating contributions by a distinguished group of performers, musicologists, and other scholars, including many specialists in Russian music, it provides detailed, up-to-date information on over 2,000 composers, the majority of whom are not represented in other English-language references. Entries vary from brief profiles of lesser-known figures to lengthy articles on major Russian and Soviet composers. Each of the longer essays summarizes current scholarship on the composer, offers new insights, and complements or corrects coverage available in standard music references. Commentary on musical style is presented in most entries, and musical influences are clarified through careful documentation of teacher-student relationships. The biographical section is followed by a selective list of compositions arranged according to media and genre. The accompanying bibliography lists works consulted as well as sources of additional information on the individual composer, and an international discography documents the breadth of the repertory committed to phonodisc, tape, and compact disc. Thorough cross-referencing facilitates the location of materials. Reflecting meticulous research and including first-hand information supplied by living Soviet composers, this work makes a significant contribution to music scholarship. This book is recommended for library reference shelves and courses in Russian music.

Essential Dictionary of Music: Definitions, Composers, Theory, Instrument & Vocal Ranges : The Most Practical and Useful Music Dictionary for Students ... (The Essential Dictionary Series)

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Essential Dictionary of Musical Notation
W & ITG
A little book that offers little
Very concise

Essential Dictionary of Music: Definitions, Composers, Theory, Instrument & Vocal Ranges : The Most Practical and Useful Music Dictionary for Students ... (The Essential Dictionary Series)
Lindsey C. Harnsberger
Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0882847287

Book Description

A useful collection of definitions, composers and theory. This pocket-sized reference book includes a broad range of important information, from basic principles of theory and concise biographies of composers to pronunciations of foreign terms and ranges of instruments and voices. This easy-to-use volume covers every major aspect of music. Includes over 330 pages.

Customer Reviews:

Essential Dictionary of Musical Notation.......2007-08-26

A comprehensive and well laid out reference book. A quick and concise aid for writing and teaching music.

W & ITG.......2007-08-14

Under "Composers," we find Michael Jackson and Mick Jaeger alongside Bach and Tchaikovsky, while other notable composers go missing. Other than that spot of comic relief, there is nothing of value cover to cover; thus, the title: Worthless & In The Garbage.

A little book that offers little.......2007-01-06

Wasn't sure what I expected in a pocket sized book, but really the book tries to cram too much info in its pages. Consequently, the information on composers is barely useful, even though the number of composers is volumnious, which leaves too few pages for the other topics it tries to cover. The weak section on composers is larger than the section on musical terms.

Nice idea, but ho-hum result.

Very concise.......2005-02-24

This is a very useful and helpful book containing practically everything you'll ever need to look up when it comes to basic information about musical instruments, music theory, composers etc.
Amongst other things, this book presents and illustrates:
- the average ranges for musical instruments and vocalists (basses, tenors, altos, sopranos)
- definitions of common English, French, German, Italian, Polish (et al) musical terms and abbreviations.
- basic musical theory starting with an introduction to how notes and rests work, how sharps and flats work within different key signatures, and proceeds to things like intervals, scale types, chord types, chord charts, the cycle of fifths, ornaments, dynamic marks, tempo marks, music symbols, repeat signs etc.
- basic information about a large amount of composers, such as when and where they were born and musically active and what historical periods they belong to. Over 120 pages of the book presents composers of early music, like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, but also modern composers like Edgard Varèse, Frank Zappa and Charles Mingus.

The book does not include information about any musical groups, it doesn't illustrate musical examples from any composed music, it doesn't give you tips on what and how to practice on certain instruments, nor does it touch upon topics like instrumental and vocal technique, but everything basic that you should know if you're teaching or studying within the field of music you will find here (for a very low price.)
As it reads on the cover of the book: "The most practical and useful dictionary for students and professionals - over 330 pages of comprehensive music information."
Add "basic" to the last sentence and the statement is 100% accurate.
...the fact that the book is small, and therefore easy to carry with you anywhere, makes it great.

Average customer rating:

Singing Cowboys
An outstanding, colorful history
Singing Cowboys
SINGING COWBOYS: THE STORIES AND THE SONGS

Singing Cowboys
Douglas Green
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1586858084

Book Description

Singing Cowboys tells the fabled story of the men and women who shone brightly during the magical era of the singing cowboy movie star. It was an era when Western heroes sang and yodeled as well as threw punches and drew six-guns; an era where for a time nearly half the Western films churned out in Hollywood's golden age either featured a singer as a hero, or had singing second leads or singing ranch hands to provide that dreamy, romantic, exquisitely beautiful music we now think of as western.

Customer Reviews:

Singing Cowboys.......2007-08-26

A book like this has been needed for a long time. I wish that it wasn't such a brief overview, but had more depth with the characters. There were minor singing cowboys that I would like to have learned more about, but at least they were mentioned. When I picked this book up to read it, I didn't know I couldn't put it down until I had finished. The accompanying CD has good coverage, but leaves you wanting more. Good thing I have a good collection this type of music.

An outstanding, colorful history.......2007-02-03

An audio cd of music packs added punch to the review of Western cowboy music's development and colorful characters in SINGING COWBOYS, which charts a bygone era when cowboys sang, yodeled, and were active members of the real West. From the singing cowboy movie fad to the evolution of the cowboy from ranch hand to musician, the lives of some sixty 'singing cowboys' are presented in a blend of biographical sketches, photos, and music. An outstanding, colorful history, SINGING COWBOYS will interest even readers who have only a casual affection for the genre, and deserves a spot in any general or music-specific library.

Singing Cowboys.......2007-01-04

Interesting to see all the history of the original country singers that were real cowboys. The CD adds greatly to the history, especially for those who didn't hear them originally. Wish there were more of the old songs by these artists on CD.

SINGING COWBOYS: THE STORIES AND THE SONGS.......2006-12-16

Doug (Ranger Doug) Green has followed up on "Singing in the Saddle," his scholarly milestone in the history of the singing cowboy phenomena, with this delightful treat for the fans. If someone sang in a "B" western just once they are surely here. Incisive thumbnail essays describe the contributions of fifty personalities and five singing groups who made lasting impressions singing in the
silver screen sagebrush. An additional chapter covers working bands and pickup bands
that would provide music where needed.
One group forinstance, the very popular Beverly Hillbillies, appeared uncredited as the Radio Ranch band in "The Phantom Empire" before getting their due in Gene Autry's "The Big Show."
If the brief resumes of the stars fail to conjure memories of matinees past then the beautiful graphics, from a publisher dedicated to beautiful book production,
will knock your nostalgia into gear.
Opening the book provides a wide-screen, eye-poppin' (not a trite phrase in this case) spread of lobby cards, posters, songbook covers, stills and occasional publicity shots. My particular favorite is the full page picture of Roy Rogers sittin' on a fence and pickin' a guitar which I hadn't seen since my youth. This is an expanded, and strangely colorless version of a photograph originally shot in the studios of the New York Daily News for publication in their Sunday Coloroto Magazine.
There are a few minor glitches in the text. Dick Foran appeared with Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis in "Petrified Forest" not "Painted Desert," Tex Ritter's work on "High Noon" was in 1952, at the midpoint of his career, not 1950, and a bit of clarification in the Jane Frazee article would have helped. "Captain Blood" was a big picture in 1935 starring Errol Flynn and readers might think it is the film alluded to but it is "Captain Blueblood," (not Blue Blood) a two-reel Vitaphone short trading on the Flynn features' title. These caveats aside the book is a treasury of memories, pictorial marvels and music.
Accompanying the book is a 10 song CD starting with Patsy Montana's "I Want to be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" and ending with Rex Allen's "Too Lee Roll Um." In between you can hear Smiley Burnette's "Mama Don't Like Music," a song whose history deserves a couple of paragraphs, the classic "Blue Shadows on the Trail" by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers" and Ray Whitley's recording of "Back in the Saddle Again" made before Gene Autry put his brand on it.
All in all a great round-up of stars, scenes, and songs for the "B" western fan .

56 Thoughts from 56 Hope Road: The Sayings and Psalms of Bob Marley

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What is it you say most?
56 Thoughts from 56 Hope Road
Pretty Good Stuff
The Prophet Among Us
True Bob

56 Thoughts from 56 Hope Road: The Sayings and Psalms of Bob Marley

Manufacturer: Hampton Roads Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0971975809

Book Description

Bob Marley began writing lyrics in the early 1960's and he continued to produce them until his passing in 1981. Critics have called these songs the best of the millennium. Yet,few readers have ever read Marley's magic on the page. For the first time, his eldest daughter Cedella has made a selection of her father's most prophetic and personal poems, insights, and conversational messages. Here are meditations to soothe the soul and thoughts to penetrate the mind. Here too is an encapsulated life of Bob Marley, the man. In his spare writings we can see the ebb and flow of his journey as an artist and a humanitarian. Packaged for purse and pocket, this colleciton is sure to find a place in everyone's heart.

Customer Reviews:

What is it you say most?.......2007-05-17

Since life is just an illusion to reflect back at ourselves, I am glad to have the chance to ponder what Bob Marley thought and spoke most of. I agree with a lot of them, but not all. This is definately a book of "less is more". Makes me want to write "me own". Maybe he knows his name now, "51" or if he comes again "56" will we know him? "55" He's the rainbow too.

56 Thoughts from 56 Hope Road.......2005-07-20

Some are lyrics....which are good, but would have liked to see more quotes.

Pretty Good Stuff.......2005-06-29

Personally, I enjoyed this booklet. It contains some very thought-provoking quotes from the don gargon, Bob Marley. What a way to capture these thoughts, Cedella and Gerald! Nice work entirely.

The Prophet Among Us.......2004-12-07

After the 60s, the movement for a better world faded into the 70s, and dissappeared entirely in the 80s. At least in the USA. God and his disciples were still alive and well in Jamaica. Instead of fishermen, they were musicians. When you listen deeply, you'll hear the message clearly. Bob Marley carried the truth for our times. That torch still burns in his music and the writing that came afterward. Read 56 Thoughts. It will touch you, move you, and enlighten you. 56 Thoughts is a book you will never put down. It will go with you every where because it is pure soul from a philosopher who knew what he was talking about.

True Bob.......2004-12-03

This book by Cedella Marley sets the record straight in one-line and short off-the-cuff wisps of light and dark, humorous and serious wisdom that Bob Marley was famous for. I read it once a day, twice a day, three times a day, as Doctor Jamaica recommends.

Rocket Man: The Encyclopedia of Elton John

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BEST BOOK OUT THERE ON ELTON JOHN
There's A Mistake
Rock on rocket man
Rock on rocket man
Not Too Bad

Rocket Man: The Encyclopedia of Elton John
Claude Bernardin , and Tom Stanton
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313297002

Book Description

Grammy winner for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from Disney's 1994 blockbuster movie The Lion King, Elton John is a musician that has transcended generations. Since his U.S. debut 25 years ago, E.J. has had a top-40 hit every year. This first reference dedicated to the legendary singer/songwriter, who has been enchanting fans for nearly three decades, contains hundreds of anecdotes on people, places, and things related to his career. It includes a behind-the-scenes look at every album, a comprehensive list of all songs written or recorded (dozens never released), and the most extensive look ever at E.J.'s pre-career life. Well researched, the volume's rich detail offers a gold mine of Elton John trivia gathered by one of the artist's premier historians and the editor of the international Elton John fan magazine East End Lights. Fans and popular music buffs will enjoy the comprehensive treatment on this 25th anniversary of Elton John's U.S. debut. There are four sections to this encyclopedia: Elton A-Z, featuring explanations, details, and anecdotes related to aspects of his career and life, with entries on celebrity friends, important places, and a wide variety of other topics; Albums, giving a chrononlogical, behind-the-scenes look at his more than 35 albums up to and including 1995's Made in England; Performances, listing his concert tours year by year, highlighting major performances such as John Lennon's final stage appearance in a 1974 show, a 1979 concert in Russia, and a little-publicized 1992 tribute; and Songs, listing alphabetically more than 500 songs recorded or written by Elton John.

Customer Reviews:

BEST BOOK OUT THERE ON ELTON JOHN.......2005-09-07

Dates,songs,eras in Elton's career;it's all here.

The author who did research on this book,Claude Bernardin,did an outstanding job.His research was relentless.

I prefer this book to many others because it is an encyclopedia type book and facts are easily found.

Alot of information on unreleased songs, which is my favorite part of the book.

I recommend this book to all Elton John enthusiasts.

It is a book you must have in your library if you are a die hard Elton John fan.

There's A Mistake.......2004-01-05

While the book is a fun read with Elton facts in alphbetical order, this is a mistake in the book that has just bugged me for a while. The two authors, especially one of them, is known as a major Elton historian. Why then, did he make the mistake?. The error in question is this - In describing the "Honky Chateau" album, it was stated that "Rocket Man" and "Honky Cat", the two singles off the album, were Elton's first top 10 singles?. Uh, sorry, but wrong. 2 years prior to this record, "Your Song" was a top 10 hit on the Billboard single charts. How can such a big historian make that mistake?.

Rock on rocket man.......2001-06-19

Mr.Bernardin has shared his wealth of knowledge on the subject of Elton John in a clear, concise and enjoyable format. I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know the all of Elton.

Rock on rocket man.......2001-06-19

Mr.Bernardin has shared his wealth of knowledge on the subject of Elton John in a clear, concise and enjoyable format. I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know the all of Elton.

Not Too Bad.......2000-07-21

This book is okay, but not great. It isn't a biography, but rather a compilation of facts about people, events, and things in Elton's life in alphabetical order. It does however give some really good info on Elton.

Average customer rating:

Excellent for the major composers
Leaves out famous WOMEN composers
Helpful reference but imcomplete and flawed
Biassed and no clear criteria for coverage of composers
This is a great reference book. There is NOTHING like it.

Dictionary of Composers and Their Music
Eric Gilder
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Excellent for the major composers.......2006-10-09

This is an excellent reference if you are interested in the major composers and not in the thousands of other American and European composers. The three parts: alphabetic listing of composers and their works (in chronological order), chronological lists of composers and a complete timeline are useful when a listener wants to know who composed what (major works), who is contemporary to whom and what happened in the music world around a certain period or in a certain year. As a serious listener of classical music, I never use this book all by itself but I use it in conjunction with 'Classical Music the Third Ear', 'The penguin Guide of CD/DVD', 'The Classical Music All Music Guide' and the 'Canon of Classical Music' book. However, I do use it!!!

Leaves out famous WOMEN composers.......2004-01-23

When I discovered that at one point the LA Weekly was using this as their major music reference, I was shocked! I have the 1993 revised edition, and have SEARCHED for two names I would assume to be in the most basic biographical music dictionary written after 1965: Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn. And yes, I looked for Clara Wieck and Fanny Hensel--no luck. Oddly enough, Mr. Gilder did include Amy Beach and Thea Musgrave, both of whom definitely deserve this inclusion. Although I have not done a thorough survey, these are the only two women composers I found in the book.
We can only assume, from Mr. Gilder's apologetic preface, that he considers both Clara and Fanny's contributions to the "world's musical treasury...too inconsiderable to make them worthy of special mention." Given the ommission of these two composers, I was not surprised to see neither Hildegard von Bingen nor Elisabeth Claude Jacquet de la Guerre. Mr. Gilder has, however, seen fit to include his own compositions.
I am not an ardent feminist out to make sure every woman composer who ever lived has representation in biographical dictionaries. I do think it irresponsible to NOT include two of the most famous, especially when both Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn are covered. Unlike Thea and Amy, the contributions of Clara and Fanny were always overshadowed by the music of their husband and brother, respectively. If this book garners any reputation as a reputable and reliable reference, that will continue to be the case. I see it is now out of print. I hope if another edition is published, these tremendous oversights will be remedied, amongst other issues already mentioned in other reviews.

Helpful reference but imcomplete and flawed.......2000-11-25

For a serious music listener, the knowledge of when and where a piece of music was composed is pretty useful because it helps the listener understand deeper the relationship between the music and its composer and the impact of the environment on the composer. However, there were not many works dealing with this issue. The efforts of the author did help bridge this appreciation gap. In the first part, the author listed the composers alphabetically, and under each composer his music was listed chronologically. Part two surveys the major pieces of music composed in the same year, thus giving the reader an impression of the contemporaries of the music. Timelines of the composers's lifetimes are displayed in part three to give an overview of the contemporaries of the composers.

Each part of the book is well designed and useful. However, there are some flaws in this book. As previous reviews pointed out, many composers were not fairly covered and no reason or criterion was given. Moreover, I feel the need that the author should make another listing for each composer that shows the chronological order of the compositions in the same style, for example symphonies, concertos, etc. Anyway, this book is still a valuable reference for every music lover.

Biassed and no clear criteria for coverage of composers.......2000-03-23

It is not only the exclusion of composers but the fact that there is no indication of the criteria used for including or excluding them or for the depth of coverage given. There is no way to infer why are ,for example , Don Gillis or the author himself given more than twice the coverage given to Mauro Giuliani, just to mention something that can be found from page 143 to 146. There are plenty of examples like this. There are 8 works by Mr Gilder, and less than a dozen works by George Philippe Teleman, none by Tartini, Giusepe Torelli or Johann Pachelbel...! I really felt disappointed with the recomendation of this book.

This is a great reference book. There is NOTHING like it........1999-09-30

Yes, the selections are incomplete - but how much can one include in such a book. The truly comprehensive book would cover many more volumes. The exclusion of Arvo Part is sad but I hope Mr. Gilder will listen to his readers and think about this.

I have used this book for 20 years since it's earliest edition. I have found NO OTHER BOOK like this with Cross-referencing of Dates to Composers names. I know this book will only improve with each edition. The first edition was barely more than 400 pages. Mr. Gilder has added a lot more since.

He deserves DUE CREDIT for having amassed such a wonderful book. Thank you, Mr. Gilder,,,for years and years of pleasure and learning.

Amazon.com

From Pietro Aaron to Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Don Randel compiles 1,013 pages of thumbnail sketches describing the life and music of 5,500 individuals who figure significantly in the world of music. Intended for "the musically inclined, the curious, the informed, and the expert," this is a beautiful, intelligent, and comprehensive volume that wants only its companion, The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, to feel complete.

Book Description

An incomparable guide to the thousands of characters, from humble artisan to lofty genius, who people the unfolding history of music, this volume brings together all the pertinent biographical information about composers, performers, music theorists, and instrument makers from the days of praise chants to the bop and pop of today. A long-awaited companion to The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, and compiled with the same meticulous scholarship and delight in detail, this biographical dictionary emphasizes classical and art music, but also gives ample attention to jazz and blues, rock and pop, and hymns and showtunes across the ages--with unusual care devoted to coverage of the twentieth century.

That the Belgian composer Jean Absil was professor of fugue at the Brussels Conservatory is a little-known fact. And few are aware that Roy Acuff began his country-and-western career in medicine shows. The writings of the seventeenth-century organist Jakob Adlung may be obscure, while Theodor Adorno's are widely read and studied. But they can all be found in the A's, along with 218 more entries, from Herb Alpert and the Andrews Sisters to Carl Friedrich Abel and Emanuel Ax. And this is only the beginning.

Here then is the information you need about 5500 figures in the world of music--the major, the minor, the famous, the nearly forgotten, from Bach and Beethoven to Irving Berlin, Benny Goodman, and Bruce Springsteen--capsule summaries of the lives and careers behind the music enjoyed in every era. The volume is enlivened with illustrations, some revelations in themselves.

A compendium that no music lover should be without, this rich volume, along with The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, constitutes the standard reference work for the musically inclined, the curious, the informed, and the expert.

Customer Reviews:

Harvard Biographical Dictionary.......2007-01-19

If you want to know what a composer or proformer means to music, or the contributions they made, this is the book to get. It's the only one you need!

The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music (Harvard University Press Reference Library).......2005-09-21

A great companion to the Harvard Dictionary of Music. Well written, comprehensive, and surprisingly complete for a sigle volume dictionary. Highly recommended for any serious musician or teacher.

Comprehensive and Inexpensive.......1999-09-09

One word. Wow! This book, combined with The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, makes a great resource for serious musicians, amateurs, and students alike. The near 6000 entries make this reference the best for its price. I've used the Baker on several occasions. While the Baker is certainly more comprehensive, a glance at its price (~$90) is enough to make one think twice. The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music, with its bargain price, is a must buy. Couple it with The New Harvard Dictionary of Music (which is the same price as the Biographical Dictionary), and you will have an unbeatable musical resource at your disposal. If you are REALLY tight on budget, then perhaps you may want to check out the Oxford Dictionary of Music. It accomplishes in 1 volume (and ~$34 compared to the Harvards' $54 combined) what the Harvard Dictionaries do in 2, though (understandably) to a much lesser extent. Nevertheless, the Harvard music references are still great buys, especially if you have a little extra cash to expend.

Excellent refereence........1998-02-01

Written by over 70 top musicologists, this splendid reference focuses on composers but also includes a generous selection of performers, theorists, and instrument makers, of all eras and genres, in nearly 6,000 entries.
Biographical details are of course provided, with a brief professional resume, (with longer entries for composers of greater significance), an accounting of major works, and a discerning bibliography where appropriate. The authors mention lifestyle issues when they bear heavily on the career of the subject (e.g., Chet Baker's heroin addiction), but the emphasis is on music, as it should be.
Coverage runs from Edouard Lalo to Little Richard, Johann Friedrich Fasch to Johnny Rotten, so whatever the musical taste, this dictionary will be useful. Highly recommended for music lovers of all persuasions.

Book Description

The Central Blue Ridge, taking in the mountainous regions of northwestern North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, is well known for its musical traditions. Long recognized as one of the richest repositories of folksong in the United States, the Central Blue Ridge has also been a prolific source of commercial recording, starting in 1923 with Henry Whitter's “hillbilly” music and continuing into the 21st century with such chart-topping acts as James King, Ronnie Bowman and Doc Watson. Unrivaled in tradition, unequaled in acclaim and unprecedented in influence, the Central Blue Ridge can claim to have contributed to the musical landscape of Americana as much as or more than any other region in the United States. This reference work—part of McFarland's continuing series of Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies—provides complete biographical and discographical information on more than 75 traditional recording (major commercial label) artists who are natives of or lived mostly in the northwestern North Carolina counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes, and the southwestern Virginia counties of Carroll and Grayson. Primary recordings as well as appearances on anthologies are included in the discographies. A chronological overview of the music is provided in the Introduction, and the Foreword is by the celebrated musician Bobby Patterson, founder of the Mountain and Heritage record labels.

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