Lectionary of Music Author:Nicolas Slonimsky Joyously idiosyncratic, full of wit, whimsy and wisdom, Nicolas Slonimsky's Lectionary of Music is an innovative and informative reading encyclopedia. Its author is a man of profound knowledge, investigative zeal, and perpetual curiousity. And these are the qualities that richly imbue this latest project in his long and ... more »colorful career.
Quite unlike ordinary music encyclopedias, which are anonymously compiled by numerous editors and researchers, Slonimsky's Lectionary simply bursts with its sole author's personality. Though it contains many seemingly standard entries--plots of operas, descriptions of musical works, definitions of terms, histories of instruments and forms--the commentary and anecdotes that punctuate the impeccable "hard" facts here are anything but standard. And this collection includes many topics that one would never find elsewhere: offbeat tales, amusing facts, and illuminating essays on a fabulous assortment of musical and paramusical subjects.
Unparalleled in scope and readability, inimitable in its free thinking and energetic unstuffiness, Lectionary of Music is a uniquely browsable reference, an addictive source of edification and entertainment. All music lovers, professional and amateur, will be delighted with it.« less