42 of the best songs of a halcyon period in American music, richly varied in mood, sentiment and musical character, including classics by Edward MacDowell, Charles Ives, Amy Beach, Carrie Jacobs-Bond, Oley Speaks, Ethelbert Nevin, John Philip Sousa, Charles Wakefield Cadman and 14 other composers. Reprinted from rare original song sheets in full piano and vocal arrangements.

New in Paperback 2004. Probably the most comprehensive work on the American art song ever available, this book considers the lives and contributions of 144 significant composers in the field, including many for whom information has been extremely scarce. Most composers' entries consist of a biographical sketch; a brief discussion of his or her song writing characteristics (with emphasis on performers' concerns); a partial or complete listing of annotated songs; recording information; and the composer's individual bibliography. Song annotations include poet, publisher, date of composition (when known), voice type, range, duration, tempo indication, mood, subject matter, vocal style, special difficulties, general impression, artists who have recorded the song, and any other pertinent information. Thirty composers whose contributions are deemed of lesser import are summarized in brief essays. Appendixes include a supplement of recommended songs; a listing of American song anthologies and their contents; and the most recent information regarding publishers cited in the guide. There is also a general discography, a general bibliography, and indexes for both titles and poets. Documenting the most important 110 years in the development of American art song, this book is an indispensable tool for singers, teachers, coaches, accompanists, and libraries.

The first major treatment of the American art song in more than 40 years. In Volume I: America Comes of Age, Friedberg examines the transition from the European-influenced songs of MacDowell, Loeffler, and Griffes, to the consciously "American" style of Ives, Copland, Harris, and other 20th-century composers. Volume II: Voices of Maturity treats composers born just before or after 1900 and their response to the flood of poetry by American writers in the early 20th century. Volume III: The Century Advances begins where its predecessor ended, with composers born in the second decade of this century, and discusses songs written roughly between 1940 and 1980. Among the 16 composers treated: Samuel Barber, Paul Bowles, David Diamond, Vincent Persichetti, Jean Eichelberger Ivey, Ned Rorem, and Richard Hundley. Among the 26 poets: James Agee, Tennessee Williams, Herman Melville, Wallace Stevens, Stephen Crane, Peter Viereck, Theodore Roethke, and James Purdy.

Originally created as a teaching tool, this bibliography has taken on a second life as a research tool for various facets of American art song, including, in this edition, both current and historical discography.

"This book contains a diverse array of contemporary vocal music available in the 20th century. It provides specific pieces for different voices, abilities, and occasions. Choices range from substantial song cycles to shorter pieces suitable for encores, examinations, or auditions. Almost all works are for voice and piano, but there are some for solo voice. This volume also contains a rich variety of musical styles, which is reflected here along with some revised and updated articles on works featured in the previous edition, in order to keep them in circulation. Furthermore, this volume includes the broadest possible selection of works which are confined to settings of the English language. However, two works in Latin as well as one piece in fake 'Russian' are the only exceptions. In addition, there are certain songs culled from some diploma syllabus many years ago, which seem to have progressed unchallenged through successive generations despite a wealth of viable alternatives. Teachers can thus be inclined to steer students in the direction of pieces they are already familiar with in this book"--

Described as the "life and soul of British contemporary music", Jane Manning is an internationally celebrated English concert and opera soprano. In this new follow-up to her highly regarded New Vocal Repertory, Volumes I and II, she provides a seasoned expert's guidance and insight into the vocal genre she calls home. Vocal Repertoire for the Twenty-First Century spans the late middle-20th century through the second decade of the 21st. Manning's comprehensive selection of contemporary art songs ranges from the avant-garde to the more easily accessible, including substantial song cycles, shorter encore pieces, and songs suitable for auditions and competitions. The two-volume guide presents expertly-informed selections tailored to particular voice types. Each of the 160 selections is accompanied by a highly detailed performance guide, music examples, levels of difficulty, and a brief encapsulation of vocal characteristics or challenges contained in the piece. A supplemental companion website provides composer biographies and an up-to-date list of recommended recordings. With a focus on younger composers in addition to prominent figures, Manning encourages singers to refresh and expand their recital repertoire into less familiar territory, and discover the rewards therein. Volume 2 features works written from 2000 onwards, including pieces from contemporary composers Mohammed Fairouz ("Annabel Lee"), Missy Mazzoli ("As Long as We Live"), Judith Weir ("The Voice of Desire"), and Raymond Yiu ("The Earth and Every Common Sight").

This classic reference work, the best one-volume music dictionary available, has been brought completely up to date in this new edition. Combining authoritative scholarship and lucid, lively prose, the Fourth Edition of The Harvard Dictionary of Music is the essential guide for musicians, students, and everyone who appreciates music. The Harvard Dictionary of Music has long been admired for its wide range as well as its reliability. This treasure trove includes entries on all the styles and forms in Western music; comprehensive articles on the music of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Near East; descriptions of instruments enriched by historical background; and articles that reflect today’s beat, including popular music, jazz, and rock. Throughout this Fourth Edition, existing articles have been fine-tuned and new entries added so that the dictionary fully reflects current music scholarship and recent developments in musical culture. Encyclopedia-length articles by notable experts alternate with short entries for quick reference, including definitions and identifications of works and instruments. More than 220 drawings and 250 musical examples enhance the text. This is an invaluable book that no music lover can afford to be without.