The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (Oxford Paperback Reference) [Paperback]

Michael Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Oxford Paperback Reference | Publication Date: February 26, 1981

The new edition of this compact and practical reference book takes into account recent research in music history and also gives full coverage of the development of music in the twentieth century. A valuable resource for over thirty years, the Dictionary features diagrams, illustrative passages of notation, an up-to-date explanation of musical terminology, and lists of composers' works.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`The best reference bookk of its kind' Literary Review

'clearly the best around and at only #1 more than its nearest rival ... is the dictionary that everyone should have' Literary Review

'this latest reprint of the third edition of 1980 is more worthwhile than ever in these days of high book prices ... For those who can afford only one music reference book, this has to be the one.' Sibyl Whiteman, S.A. Music Teacher

'one of the more remarkable publishing bargains today ... an admirable introduction for those whose interest in music has been recently stimulated' Peter Hepple, Stage and Television Today

`a rich mine of information not only for the serious student but for anyone interested in music... covers the entire spectrum' Jerusalem Post

About the Author

About the Author:
Michael Kennedy is director of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, music critic at the Sunday Telegraph, and the author books, including works on Elgar, Vaughan, Britten, and Mahler.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (February 26, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0193113201
• ISBN-13: 978-0193113206
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,549,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An indispensible guide, April 23, 2003

By 

Christian Wheeler "Husband/Father/Gamer/Proud... (St. Louis) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

A comprehensive, well-organized volume that covers composers, compositions, periods and styles, terminology (though I must agree with another reviewer--this really needs a pronunciation guide for some of the more difficult names and terms), instruments, vocalists, cultural context, and more. Major composers get more attention, with longer bios and more detailed entries, though the entries for some of the more notable people (such as George Gershwin) come up a little short in detailing their impact and significance. I purchased this book about a year ago, when I found myself becoming more interested in classical music, and it has proven to be extremely handy in identifying major pieces, performers, and composers. A must-have for music majors and libraries (both college and public) and for individual reference, and as an added bonus, is a godsend for those of us who do crossword puzzles.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very handy and most useful for any musician or general lover of music, December 28, 2005

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

Music has often been described as the universal language, but the terms a musician has to read on the printed page of the score are specific words in various languages. If we only had to deal with the basic piano or forte of diminuendo or other basic terms it would not be a problem. However, there are thousands and thousands of more obscure terms that deal with performance, types of instruments (and their component parts), composers, works of various types, and so forth. That is why a well-executed hand sized book like this is so valuable. You can keep it on your piano in easy reach when you turn the page and haven't a clue what Debussy or Beethoven or some other composer left there for you to decipher.

It is true that this dictionary does not have a pronunciation guide, but that is simply because these words are said differently in different places and since it has to be "concise" the choice would be to have half as many terms and pronunciations (and the problem of picking among many possible ways of saying the words) or leaving out the pronunciations and having many more terms. I am glad they picked the latter.

There are a few illustrations, and they are well chosen but sparse.

Highly recommended. Every musician or general lover of music is better off with this book or one like it kept nearby.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable desk reference tool, November 28, 1999

By 

Pierre R. Schwob (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

As the maintainer of the Classical Archives, I use this reference every single day. Its contents has been most judiciously selected to permit searches on composers, musical forms, terms, instruments, orchestras and performers. Each composer's entry offers a work-list which provides an excellent perspective. An invaluable tool indeed.