BBC Songs of Praise [Hardcover]

GILBERT STRANG (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0191473251 | ISBN-13: 978-0191473258 | Publication Date: July 17, 1997 | Edition: Full music ed

BBC Songs of Praise is a compilation of the greatest traditional hymns, the best hymns from today's writers, and the finest examples of contemporary worship songs. It offers to churches and schools the core music required for worship in a wide range of situations. The breadth and diversity of the material ensures that BBC Songs of Praise can be the key resource for any worshipping community.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Girish Karnad is a well-known playwright, actor, film personality, and Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Up; Full music ed edition (July 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0191473251
• ISBN-13: 978-0191473258
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,046,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Play for Global Audiences, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire and the Rain (Paperback)

This is probably different from other book reviews because I have read the play, and seen an excellent theater production of it too. It is the combined effect of the two that remains in my mind; during both phases the experience was gripping and the effects linger even today.

I have waited for a long time for Girish Karnad to return to his roots in theater, after his sojourn in the world of cinema and commercial movie making. In my opinion, he has exceeded all expectations. The Fire and the Rain is a complex play that weaves contemperory and ancient, Indian and European themes and metaphors.

It is a must read (and perform) GrecoVedic tragedy for theater buffs of all cultures around the world. It is so insightful in its observation of fundamental human behavior, and theatrically so malleable that its relevance to local contexts and audiences, worldwide, will be obvious. It is truly a play for global audiences, transcending political, cultural, and geographic boundaries.

5.0 out of 5 stars A rare and complex tale sublimated into masterful drama, May 5, 2000

By 

Sandeep - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire and the Rain (Paperback)

The source of "The Fire and the Rain" lies, as is common knowledge in The Mahabharatha. It is an obscure story which a certain sage narrates to the Pandavas, and to a lay reader, passes off as insignificant.

What however, Girish Karnad has done is to transform it into a masterful piece of drama by depicting conflicting human emotions through the characters. It is an excellent combination of the elements--human, metaphysical and supernatural that constitute the core of the play. Karnad successfully makes use of the divine element--especially in the climax where the hero holds a conversation with the Gods, and the final result of the rain pouring on a drought-ridden land.

The play also focusses both on the negative and positive human emotions--jealousy, betrayal, deceit, as well as selfless love (evidenced by the hero and the heroine, Nittilai)and sacrifice. The hero, like most of Karnad's heroes is a man torn between moral righteousness, love and duty. It is interesting to trace this path of the hero to its fitting end.

Karnad has stated that "the play lived in my mind for 37 years" before assuming its present form. It is in short, a splendid culmination of his creative intelligence. As stated earlier, the story is so obscure that none gives a second thought to it, and to translate the same to a play requires immense skill, which is evidenced by the book. It only shows that with each of his play, Girish Karnad is only getting better.

A must read!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book !, October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire and the Rain (Paperback)

I haven't read a better book in recent times. It's another great piece of work from a person so talented. A must read.