Publisher's Synopsis
Norman Lebrecht's COMPANION TO 20TH CENTURY MUSIC won widespread acclaim when it was first published. Now fully updated, it will become the definitive guide to one of the most innovative of musical centuries. It includes dozens of composers who have never before appeared in an English reference work, and covers classical, jazz and rock music. It takes the reader gently through the century's conflicting ideologies and personalities, weeding out the historic from the ephemeral and explaining compositional technique in comprehensible language. It examines the political environment in which music was created and concludes that it acquitted itself best of all the arts in its response to Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism. Imbued with Norman Lebrecht's characteristic vigour and insight, THE COMPLETE COMPANION TO 2OTH CENTURY MUSIC is an indispensable addition to every music lover's bookshelf.
