Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides – serie

Here is a book that will transform how you play and think about the classical guitar and its music. - Emmanuel SowiczThe guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world, but what does it take to become a fully rounded classical guitarist? In a systematic sequence of chapters, Jonathan Leathwood and Richard Wright offer a fresh perspective on technique, interpretation, learning, practicing and repertoire, drawing on a huge variety of composers and works, including a separate exploration of Bach. A final section explores the guitarist as collaborator, with advice on how to make the guitar sound at its best in the company of other instruments and how to work with non-guitarist composers. Throughout the book, musical examples from key works illuminate the points discussed.The authors bring their vast experience as teachers and performers to this book, which will intrigue and inspire anyone interested in the art of the guitar.An invaluable addition to the immensely successful Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides, this book brings exciting new insights into the study and performance of the classical guitar repertoire.

In what is primarily an instructional book, Jack Brymer places the instrument in the broad context of its role in the orchestra and in chamber music, expressing stimulating and controversial views. Perhaps his most original and valuable contribution is to be found in the long section on acoustics, the down-to-earth section on the practical clarinettist, and the illuminating passages on artistic approach. Brymer writes for the teacher of the clarinet, as well as for beginners and advanced players, and the unique appendix on the clarinet repertoire is particularly comprehensive. Modern science has revealed facets of the clarinet's harmonic structure previously only dimly perceived, and the author points the way to a future full of promise.

Who better to write an authoritative yet fascinating introduction to flute playing than Sir James Galway whose glittering career extends from principal flute in the Berlin Philharmonic to the top of the international pop music charts? His unique advice and experience is brought to bear on the problems and techniques of learning, practicing and playing - in solo, ensemble, at home, in concert and in the recording studio.

Louis Kentner covers all aspects of the piano in this comprehensive and fascinating dissertation. As well as practical material there are pages of instruction on technique including a chapter on the use of the pedal, some hints on singing tone and legato, advice on practising, and a do-it-yourself guide to basic tuning. Kentner provides a penetrating analysis of much of Chopin's and Liszt's piano music and contributes a unique and detailed study of Beethoven's thirty-two piano sonatas. The book includes some selected further reading and a discography.

This volume is an introduction to cello playing by an outstanding recitalist, soloist and teacher of international repute whose natural wish - as a teacher - would be to sing, play and demonstrate what he means. Devoted pupil, Nona Pyron, herself a figure of some authority in the world of the cello, has guided and marshalled William Pleeth's brilliantly perceptive advice - based on his lifetime's playing and teaching - into the confines of this valuable book.

Barry Tuckwell was, until his retirement, one of the world's leading horn virtuosos and thus eminently suited to writing this Guide. This versatile musician combines a soloists experience, an orchestral player's inside knowledge and a conductor's broad view of the horn and its music. He tells the fascinating story of the taming of the horn from a loud, rough signalling instrument to one that is mellow and emotive - described by Schumann as the soul of the orchestra. The history of the horn we know today is closely related to technical developments both in playing and in writing, and with a wealth of musical examples Barry Tuckwell tells us of these changes and the people who made them. He then deals with the difficulties of building and maintaining this difficult instrument, providing invaluable insights into the practicalities of the craft. Useful advice is given on all aspects of learning, practising and playing for the beginner, amateur and teacher. Finally the reader is given the benefit of an inside view of the life of a professional horn player, whether rehearsing, recording or performing live down to so basic (and easily overlooked) a consideration as fatigue - the players' need to spread the load - the explanation for what often seems to the concert-goer to be one more horn player than is necessary.

The talent and experience of the legendary virtuoso, Léon Goossens, with that of the contemporary composer, conductor and oboist, Edwin Roxburgh combine to produce this comprehensive handbook for the oboe. The history of the instrument is followed by illuminating chapters on baroque, classical, romantic and twentieth century music. The mark of Goossens’ long experience as an international soloist is woven into every page, whether in his observations about great soloists of the past or in pertinent views on modern recording methods. Edwin Roxburgh contributes a detailed explanation of extemporization and ornamentation in eighteenth-century music as well as an optimistic review of new developments in oboe playing and modern music. For the student, there is a whole section on reed making and performing techniques together with detailed advice for teachers. Extensive appendices cover manufacturers, repertoire, fingering charts, bibliography and discography.