The first decades of the twentieth century were a fertile and fascinating period in American musical history. This book and the two CDs that accompany it present an exceptional collection of interviews with and about the most significant musical figures of the era. Tapping the unparalleled materials contained in the Oral History American Music archive at Yale University, Composers’ Voices from Ives to Ellington is a unique account of what it was like for musicians and composers to live and work in those years. It is also the story of the making of the archive, as told by Vivian Perlis, who personally conducted many of the interviews.Music aficionados can now hear Eubie Blake describe the birth of ragtime or listen to a firsthand account of how Ira Gershwin came to write those famous lines in “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.” In-depth interviews with such figures as Henry Cowell, Virgil Thomson, Aaron Copland, and Duke Ellington are included in the book, which also features chapter introductions and fascinating sidebars, illustrations, and anecdotes throughout. Two CDs complete the set, enabling today’s listener to enjoy the remarkablen experience of hearing the actual voices and the music of American composers of the early twentieth century.
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“In this book Vivian Perlis and Libby Van Cleve have assembled an amazing range of composers that reflects the diversity of American music. This publication offers lively interviews with giants of American music giving the reader an inside look at ragtime, ‘new’music and early jazz. The actual sound of the composers’ voices on CD is a unique element that gives us a glimpse into the era and the musical personalities who created it.”—Dave Brubeck, composer
(Dave Brubeck )“Through this wonderful series we can truly get to know the great artists who created the music that expresses who we are as a people better than almost anything I can think of. This is an indispensable treasure trove of American history and culture, and a unique celebration of the American spirit.”—Ken Burns, filmmaker
(Ken Burns )"There has never been a project to rival this accomplishment. Devoting decades of work to documenting the sounds of some of our greatest creators, these two gifted women have provided a rare insight into the thoughts and voices of America's musical geniuses. This is a work that is a must-have for not only the seasoned listener, but anyone interested in our oral history."—Leonard Slatkin, Conductor
(Leonard Slatkin )"Not only is Vivian Perlis the world’s leading authority on American music, she is a lucid, thorough, and charming writer on the subject. Her invaluable Oral Histories are one-of-a-kind, as this book now proves."—Ned Rorem, Composer and Writer
(Ned Rorem )“An enthralling new book. . . a symphony of voices.”—Richard Dyer, Chicago Tribune
(Richard Dyer Chicago Tribune )"Composers’ Voices from Ives to Ellington marks the first installment in a monumental summation of a life's work. Vivian Perlis literally pioneered the use of oral history in documenting American composers, and with Libby Van Cleve presents them in this publication. The revelations—abundant, startling, moving—are shared here."—Carol J. Oja, Harvard University
(Carol J. Oja )
About the Author
Vivian Perlis is founding director and Libby van Cleve is associate director of Oral History American Music at the Yale School of Music and Library.
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