Richard Taruskin is professor of musicology at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to this work, Taruskin is also the author of such books as Music in the Western World: A History in Documents (1985), Text & Act (OUP, 1995), and Stravinsky and the Russian Traditions (1996). He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, New Republic, and many other scholarly journals.
"Most of the news in classical music takes place on stage or on
disc. But at the moment, one of the biggest stories (in more ways
than one) is taking place on the printed page." --The New York
Times
"Erudite, engaging, and suffused throughout with a mixture of
brilliance and delirium...staggering, brilliant,
opinionated."--Washington Post
"Readers will profit from his sharp analysis and unabashed
opinions... Taruskin has succeeded in writing a stimulating
overview of Western society, setting a standard that will not be
surpassed for a very long time..." --Library Journal
"Taruskin's chef-d'oeuvre, however, is a feast of contrarian ideas,
with enough spice to sting the palate of anyone with a stake in
telling the old stories in the old way. It aims for nothing less
than the revaluation of practically everything you thought you knew
about classical music....Taruskin's magnum opus is a must-read, and
in its way, a real page-turner of detective non-fiction. It's a
cinch to become the most discussed music title of the year, if
not
of the decade."-- The Globe & Mail
"The book is nothing short of spectacular" - New Music Box
"There's plenty to keep you amused and enlightened - it's very good
reading." - American Record Guide
"Rather than assemble an overview, Taruskin has written a critical,
subjective history in which he examines the influence of key
figures, works, and musical ideas against the backdrop of world
affairs and cultural history."-Berkeleyan
"Musicians, students, historians, and other readers wishing a
detailed narrative about the career, patronage, musical influences,
reception, and creative production of western composers, as well as
the development of musical styles will find this a fascinating and
satisfying resource." --Reference and Research Library Book
News
"An amazing achievement. For a single musicologist, even one of the
stature of Taruskin, to have produced a detailed, accurate,
informative and well-illustrated history is nothing short of
amazing."--Classical Net Review
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