Product Description

Derived from the classic Oxford Dictionary of Music, this is the most authoritative dictionary of music available in paperback. Up-to-date and clearly written, it is a rich mine of information for lovers of music of all periods and styles. Written by Michael Kennedy, a renowned authority on classical music and chief music critic for The Sunday Telegraph, from 1989 to 2005, the dictionary includes over 14,000 entries on musical terms from allegro to zingaro, and on musical works from Aida to Tosca, as well as musical instruments and their history, composers, librettists, musicians, singers, and orchestras. It also boasts comprehensive works lists for major composers. Fully revised and updated, the 5th edition of this established reference work contains over 200 new entries, including information on approximately 150 new performers. Essential reference for music students and teachers, and fascinating reading for all other music enthusiasts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42846 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 864 pages

BBC Music Magazine, July 1, 2007
'[A] cornerstone of music-lovers' libraries...eminently
browsable.'

Review
This fifth edition of classical music's Concise Oxford Dictionary beats all comers. Its range and detail go far beyond what one would normally expect of a single volume. (Jeremy Nicholas, Classic FM Magazine )

[A] cornerstone of music lovers' libraries...eminently browsable, with excellent articles on major composers from Beethoven to Stockhausen as well as intriguing facts and details. (Daniel Jaffe, BBC Music Magazine )

About the Author
Michael Kennedy was chief music critic of the Sunday Telegraph since 1989. Before that he was a staff music critic on The Sunday Telegraph from 1950 and its Northern Editor from 1960 to 1986. He is an authority on English music of the twentieth century and has written books on Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Britten, and Walton as well as on Mahler, Strauss, Barbirolli, Boult, and the Hallé Orchestra. He was awarded the OBE in 1981 and the CBE in 1997, and is a member of the
Board of Governors of the Royal Northen College of Music, Manchester. The honorary degree of Doctor of Music was conferred on him in 2003 by the University of Manchester.

Customer Reviews

This book is quite simply perfect in every way! Buy it now!!
At a glance, any student or Musician can see that this book is impressive as it is an Oxford book. Initially, when I saw that the book was under eight pounds, I was not very optomistic, but don't be fooled!! It is perfect in every way and contains all the information you would ever need, whether you are a professional in the industry or a student wishing to pursue a career in Music. It is mainly classical based so would appeal to orchestral musicians or A level students. Even as a Music Technology student, I still value it as a reference book! It is easy to use and extremely detailed. It is not too big, so it is easy to take around if necessary. This is quite literally, the only book you will need. However, it lacks information on Popular and comtemporary Music. It could be used in conjunction with other music books if a Musician wishes to build a small library of reference. Think of a word related in any way to music - it's in there! It is interesting in addition to being useful for educational purposes. Expand your knowledge and enjoy it at the same time! Well worth the money!!

Essential Lexicon for the musically minded!
As the new University year looms, its time to scrounge around and find cheap books that are 'at least' mildly relevant to your course. Enter Oxfords mini range of concise and very portable compendiums of lexis for a wide variety of subjects. In English, small, handy books.

This Music edition met all my expectations of the others I've bought, and has been invaluable for my Popular Music degree. Unlike a traditional dictionary, the descriptions of the words-meaning appears more friendly to your brain than, what can sometimes be, a case of looking up what the words in the description actually mean. It features a wide mix of theoretical words (from the study of music reading), to the extensive range of terms from music business to formats.

Perhaps the best thing about these books is that while you could buy a handful of separate other studies with various breakdowns of the terms, this product has them all in one book, meaning you save more money and you don't have to stick post-its on pages of various other books. Its small form is also ideal for keeping in a bag - a nit picker may suggest having a hard cover to cope with daily rituals, but for the price you can't go wrong.

Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music
This purchase was to replace a very much earlier edition of this excellent reference book. This new edition was delivered quickly, well packaged, and at a very acceptable price.The book itself is well produced, about half as many pages again as the previous edition I have been using, and will be an excellent addition to my reference library.