American Piano Trios [Hardcover]

Arno P. Drucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 1999

The piano trio has been a favorite medium for composers since its inception with Franz Joseph Haydn's compositions for violin, cello, and piano. There have been numerous compositions by many composers since that time, and the piano trio continues to interest composers today. In the United States composers began writing for this combination in the nineteenth century, following European traditions. In the twentieth century, the number of composers and compositions has seen a phenomenal increase.

American Piano Trios: A Resource Guide provides information about works for piano trios (violin, cello, and piano) by American composers, including naturalized United States citizens. The information includes a brief biographical sketch of each composer, occasional comments by the composer, and notable information that might lead to a further exploration of his or her work and possible performance.

Two appendixes provide contact information about active performers of piano trios and a list of classical music websites.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Pianist and professor Drucker (Baltimore Symphony, Peabody Conservatory) presents a welcome reference for those seeking information on the American piano trio repertoire. He includes alphabetical entries for both well-known and more obscure composers ranging from the early 19th century to currently active artists. He provides both a short biography of the composer and annotations on the pieces, including where they can be acquired, extant recordings, and some descriptive phrases or quotes. Also valuable are appendixes listing performing trios with contact information and a list of classical music web sites. There is some overlap between this book and Ellen Grolman Schlegel's Catalogue of Published Works for String Orchestra and Piano Trio by Twentieth-Century American Women Composers (Colonial, 1993); Drucker's entries are more complete, but Schlegel includes several composers he does not. As a model of exhaustive research, this is highly recommended for all music reference collections.ABarry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

An excellent resource on a specialized genre...This book definitely belongs in music libraries and on the shelves of pianists who are trio members and chamber musicians. It is, further, a boon to composers because, in this format, it is likely to reach just that very group who are searching for new music to program. Drucker's guide is worth every penny. (Piano & Keyboard )

...this book is very useful and deserves a place in any music library. (Choice )

There is a great deal of information in this volume that will be useful to those who want to explore the repertory of piano trios by Americans. (Notes )

The book is a very impressive piece of work...The book offeres so many interesting details to the reader that the book is an absolute must to own for every music library and serious musician. (David Tomatz )

American Piano Trios, by Arno Drucker, belongs in the library of every music school in the country and on the bookshelf ... of every educator and serious music lover. This is a book of astonishing thoroughness and scholarship. (Earl Carlyss )

...a welcome reference...as a model of exhaustive research, this is highly recommended for all music reference collections. (Library Journal )

...a welcome reference for those seeking information on the American piano trio repertoire...As a model of exhaustive research, this is highly recommended for all music reference collections. (Charles Krusentjerna )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (April 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810836084
• ISBN-13: 978-0810836082
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,048,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable Reference Guide, June 1, 1999

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This review is from: American Piano Trios (Hardcover)

"American Piano Trios", by Arno Drucker, belongs in the library of every music school in the country and on the bookshelf (sandwiched between Cobbett's and Groves) of every educator and serious music lover. This is a book of astonishing thoroughness and scholarship. Who could guess that the heritage of AMERICAN chamber music - in this case, Piano Trios - would be so vast and sumptuous.

I knew Samuel Barlow in New York many years ago, but I had no idea that he was a composer, much less a composer of a piano trio and an opera, Mon Ami Pierrot, which "was the first by an American to be produced at the Opera Comique in Paris (1935)." Hundreds of American composers, from Samuel Adler to Ellen Zwilich, are listed with some fascinating biographical sketches and descriptions of their music. There are names, addresses, and in some cases, Web sites, of virtually every piano trio active today.

Arno Drucker has blessed us, those of us who are passionate about chamber music, with an indispensable resource guide.