Alan Rich Libros

This is the first book to concentrate on the rebellious trend within American music at the turn of the twentieth century. American Pioneers examines Charles Ives, Henry Cowell, John Cage, Carl Ruggles, Edgard Varèse, Harry Patch, Colin McPhee and Lou Harrison, focusing on the peculiarly American quality of their artistic motivation. The pioneering flair of these composers was an act of Americans throwing off the shackles of European tradition and inventing a new language, seeking to redefine what could or could not be embraced by the term ‘music’.

This book explores the rebellious trend in early 20th-century American music, highlighting how artists like Charles Ives, John Cage, and Edgard Varèse defied European traditions to create a new musical language. It examines the unique American qualities driving their artistic motivations.

Aaron Copland, one of the most famous American composers in history, instructs people in the art of listening to music from the composer's point of view. "What to Listen for in Music" creates the foundation for an intelligent musical appreciation, beginning with such basics as harmony, melody, and rhythm. This latest edition features new sections that update the book's coverage of contemporary music and listening habits.