(Piano Solo Songbook). 24 contemporary favorites arranged for piano solo; including: Ballade Pour Adeline * Bellas Lullaby * Cinema Paradiso * Hymn * Il Postino (The Postman) * Jessicas Theme (Breaking in the Colt) * The John Dunbar Theme * Kiss the Rain * Nadias Theme * River Flows in You * Somewhere in Time * Watermark * and more.
#3242735 in eBooks 2014-07-21 2014-07-21File Name: B00LZSW7YS
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A SCHOLARLY STUDY OF THE VISUAL AND MATERIAL CULTURE OF CHRISTMASBy Steven H ProppKaral Ann Marling is professor Art History at the University of Minnesota; and the author of books such as As Seen on TV: The Visual Culture of Everyday Life in the 1950s; Designing Disneys Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance; George Washington Slept Here: Colonial Revivals and American Culture; 1876-1986; etc.She states in the Preface to this 2000 book; "This book about the visual and material culture of Christmas in America began at a pre-Christmas cut-and-color session with Stan; my hairdresser... [about the year he saved his money and bought his mother a syrup pitcher that someone else gave to her first]... There has been no shortage of books on Christmas. Historians have been especially active... Admirable books; all of them... But somehow; these books have left out Stan and his mother; and the aspect of Christmas that I wanted to talk about... This book is about pictures and syrup pitchers and all the other things that make Christmas Christmas. Its about images and the feelings they arouse... And its about grandmothers and mothers..." (Pg. vii-viii; xi)She suggests; "What [Charles] Dickens and [Washington] Irving share; however; is a sense that Christmas has an important historical dimension; whether it be national or personal and familial. The things that are done at Christmas... provide points of entry into a state of happiness and abundance; that transcends the present and stretches back endlessly into the past. Christmas is a special time; a suspension of the workaday order of things... Christmas is very old indeed." (Pg. 129)She notes that in the late 19th century; "splashy; once-a-year dinners were beginning to draw criticism. By laying too much stress on impulsive almsgiving and feeding the poor at Christmas; Dickens did more harm than anyone else; the Saturday Evening Post decided. A great Christmas dinner; in the minds of many; cancels the charity obligations of the entire year." (Pg. 148)She observes that "It is fair to conclude that advertising codified the appearance of the modern American Santa Claus. Around 1900 a few street-corner Santas still wore the robes of the gaunt; European St. Nicholas; and a few Christmas cards... still showed a stern old fellow incapable of the requisite Yankee merriment." (Pg. 213)This is a fascinating; well-illustrated volume; that will be of great interest to all lovers of the Christmas holiday.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Equal parts nostalgia and scholarship; but entertaining from start to finishBy OdysseusI must admit to being rather shocked that two of this books few reviews are so negative. I adored this book; and found something to savor on almost every page. This is one of those books to curl up with on a quiet evening during the holiday season; and to enjoy during those moments of perfect contentment.Marlings book devotes a chapter to the history of each of various Christmas traditions. For example; the first chapter covers the history of gift wrapping; including the wrapping paper and the bows. The second chapter covers the history of various Christmas decorations: toy villages; christmas lights; and ornaments. A very fine chapter discusses the history of the Macys window displays. Another details the evolution of advertising images of Santa Claus. And there are many more.What distinguishes Marlings writing is an undisguised affection for her subject. She is the furthest thing from a pedantic scholar; rather; she wants readers to know and to appreciate how Christmas was enjoyed by previous generations; and how our current traditions came to be.The commercialism of Christmas is often decried; but Marling appreciates the positive aspects of that commercialism. The inevitable truth is that many of the things that bring us joy at Christmastime -- shiny ornaments; enticing packages; department store Santas -- exist because someone is trying to make a buck. But if someone makes the world a happier; more festive place in that effort; isnt that something to be celebrated? The chapter on the Macys window displays is a classic example; while Marling doesnt gloss over the commercial purpose of these displays; she also conveys the reality that both children and adults walking by found enchantment in them.Our current Christmas remains a blend of seasonal; religious; and commercial elements; and many of the commercial elements help to embed the holiday in the memories of both children and former children. The scent of a tree; the sight of a wreath; the feel of a package shaken curiously before the big day; all of these things have the power to make us children again.Marling gets this. In her postcript about the Christmas cookie tradition; she writes: "I cannot smell a lemon; or see a frosted and decorated cookie in a bakery window; without thinking of Christmas; and home; and the people that I love. . . . without being nine or ten again; in a warm kitchen on a snowy day; standing in a magical shower of powdered sugar that dances in the light."Just as Marling celebrates her own Christmas traditions; she studies and respects the traditions of others who have gone before all of us.In analyzing why this book received some negative reviews below; the only thing I can think of is that it may occupy a place that some readers find awkard: neither a heavy scholarly tome; nor a light fluffy nostaglic picture book. But its better than either; Marling delves deeply into her subject; combining the lively writing style of a nostalgia book with the substantive content of a history book. Its a delightful combination; and I give it a strong five stars.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It depends on what you are seeking.By FahtimahIf ever there was a book which treated Christmas as a dry; historical narrative;this is it. Very well written; with insights I had never considered; it is not going to make some people happy because it is so academic.The details and chronology throughout the history of Christmas were fascinating; although she cannot seem to help making personal commentaries. This was especially frequent in Chapter 7 where she lingered far too long with far too many commentaries on the "Black Christmas" experience. While I found the chapter thought provoking; I could have done without all the soap box.If you are truly interested in the history of various Christmas traditions and their evolution; this is the book for you - dry; but detailed.If you are more interested in beautiful pictures and fluff (I have MANY like that)you should probably pass.
