The Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music and Musicians by Don Michael Randel

Synopsis

This new compact guide to the history and performance of music is both authoritative and a pleasure to use. With entries drawn and condensed from the widely acclaimed The New Harvard Dictionary of Music and its companion The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music, it is a dependable reference for home and classroom and for professional and amateur musicians.

This concise dictionary offers definitions of musical terms; succinct characterizations of the various forms of musical composition; entries that identify individual operas, oratorios, symphonic poems, and other works; illustrated descriptions of instruments; and capsule summaries of the lives and careers of composers, performers, and theorists. Like its distinguished parent volumes, The Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music and Musicians provides information on all periods in music history, with particularly comprehensive coverage of the twentieth century.

Clearly written and based on vast expertise, The Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music and Musicians is an invaluable handbook for everyone who cares about music.

Library Journal

Since 1944 (when Willi Apel published the first edition) and down through dozens of revised editions, The Harvard Dictionary has been an indispensable reference tool for everyone involved in music. It contains definitions and explanations of every possible musical term, instrument, and concept, as well as short biographical notes on composers, conductors, and performers. Each new edition expands the area covered, especially globally. A spot check of the contents of this volume reveals that the concise version, edited by Randel (musicology, Cornell Univ.), contains nearly all of the most important entries found in the larger edition. Invaluable--and a bargain. For all libraries.--Timothy J. McGee, Univ. of Toronto Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Biography

Don Michael Randel, former Professor of Music at Cornell University and Professor of Music and President of the University of Chicago, is President of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.