MUSIClassical ALLEGRO
Topic: NEW BOOKS
Alex Ross has produced an introduction to twentieth-century music that is also an absorbing story of personalities and events that is also a history of modern cultural forms and styles that is also a study of social, political, and technological change. The Rest Is Noise is cultural history the way cultural history should be written: a single strong narrative operating on many levels at once. What more do you want from a book? That it be intelligently, artfully, and lucidly written? It’s those things, too.” —Louis Menand, author of The Metaphysical Club “You don't have to be an aficionado of modern music to love this book: Alex Ross’s extraordinary gifts as a writer, his deep knowledge of music, and his fresh forays into cultural history make The Rest is Noise a complete delight.” —Jean Strouse, author of Morgan: American Financier “The Rest Is Noise reads like a sprawling, intense novel, one of utopian dreams, doom, and consolation, with the most extraordinary cast of characters from music and history alike. A great, inspiring ride.” —Osvaldo Golijov
1607 Birth of violin maker Giuseppe GUARNERI in Cremona Italy. 
By BERNARD HOLLAND... Kiri Te Kanawa’s principal asset as a musical artist is lovability, and those who came to hear this New Zealand soprano sing at Carnegie Hall. 
Isabel Leonard, Soprano
Irving Fine (1916-1962) was a gifted composer, an excellent pianist and a notable educator. His death at the age of 46 deprived us of an important creative talent; the fact that no serious book about him has appeared until recently is rather surprising. Philip Ramey’s book fills this gap admirably. 
1882 Birth of Canadian-African-American composer R. Nathaniel DETT in Drummondvill, Quebec, Canada. d-Battle Creek, MI 2 OCT 1943. 
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of classical composer Jean Sibelius. Musician David Was says the composer's work was in danger of falling out of fashion, but is recently enjoying a burst of new interest. 
Even when it isn't sung, the Italian language sounds like music, which is part of why Italian words are used to tell musicians how to play—presto, lento, adagio, forte. Miles Hoffman, author of The NPR Classical Music Companion, recently joined Renee Montagne to discuss the Italian jargon of classical music. 