A History of Western Choral Music explores the various genres; key composers; and influential works essential to the development of the western choral tradition. Author Chester L. Alwes divides this exploration into two volumes which move from Medieval music and the Renaissance era up to the 21st century. Volume I surveys the choral music of composers including Josquin; Palestrina; Purcell; Handel; and J.S. Bach while detailing the stylistic; textual; and extramusical considerations unique to the topics covered. Consideration of Renaissance music includes both sacred and secular works; specifically addressing the growth of sacred music; the rise of secular music; and the proliferation of sacred polyphony from Josquin to Palestrina. Discussion of the Baroque era is organized by geographic location; exploring the spread of Baroque style from Italy to German; France; and England. Volume I concludes by examining the aesthetic underpinnings of the early Classical and Romantic eras. Framing discussion within the political; religious; cultural; philosophical; aesthetic; and technological contexts of each era; A History of Western Choral Music offers readers specialized insight into major composers and works while providing a cohesive understanding of choral musics place in Western history.
#163587 in eBooks 2006-10-06 2006-10-06File Name: B00YFWHF5W
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great story; difficult to read.By DaveIt is an interesting story well worth reading for a devoted Zappa fan. (I am).The quality of the writing is way below average.I felt I was reading a first draft; something that would be submitted to an editor who could and would clean up the sentence structure; grammar and punctuation. I worked way too hard to get through the choppy writing.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Love it love it love it love it love it ...By N. VerbicLove it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it !....REALLY !7 of 9 people found the following review helpful. One persons time with ZappaBy Paul LappenLennon was your average rebellious teenager in 1960s California; until she discovered a strange looking album by someone named Frank Zappa at the local record store. She bought everything she could find by him; and wore out the albums due to playing them over and over. A budding songwriter; she and her boyfriend recorded several songs on reel-to-reel tape and sent them to Zappa.Months went by; until the phone call came asking if they could stop by at the offices of Zappas record label. That would be enough for most people; but to realize that Zappa actually listened to the tape was overwhelming. His general opinion was that she didnt stink; but that she wasnt ready yet. On thing led to another; and a trip to the Zappa residence led to an invitation to be a substitute guitarist on his next tour.On tour; Zappa rarely; if ever; indulged in the alcohol and drugs that are part of any tour; if only to keep that boss/employee distance. He was obsessive/compulsive and a perfectionist who; because of constant stomach problems; drank kaopectate by the gallon. Lennons time on the tour was rather short; only a couple of months. Zappa sent her home after word got to Mrs. Zappa that their relationship wasnt exactly platonic.Time went by; and after Lennon got thrown out of the house (the relationship with her parents was not good); she was able to crash in the basement of the Zappa residence; on the understanding that she not disturb him while he was composing. He had been seriously injured at a concert in England; and; physically and emotionally; things had changed. The arrangement lasted for a while; until Zappa went back on tour.More time went by; and Lennon attempted to continue her music studies at a local college. She again ran into Zappa while he was rehearsing a grand; orchestral piece called The Great Wazoo. She tried to be as helpful as possible; while also learning as much as possible. Zappa seemed to tolerate her; more than he actually wanted her around. The relationship between them ends badly.Zappa fans should read this book. He is shown to be a lot more than just someone with strange ideas about music. For rock music fans in general; this is a gem of a book.
