Historical Dictionary of the Music and Musicians of Finland [Hardcover]

Ruth-Esther Hillila (Author), Barbara Blanchard Hong (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313277281 | ISBN-13: 978-0313277283 | Publication Date: December 30, 1997

Presenting information heretofore difficult or impossible to find in English, this work opens a window on the colorful panorama of Finnish music. The 500-plus entries present historical and modern composers, the accomplishments of hundreds of internationally acclaimed performing artists, as well as more general articles on folk music, early manuscripts and publications, cantors and hymnals, early Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran music, leading orchestras and choral groups, festivals, and much more. No other such extensive and comprehensive work on Finnish music exists in any language other than Finnish and Swedish. This English-language dictionary makes the subject available to readers throughout the world. In addition to the entries, chronologies of Finnish history and Finnish music, as well as a map of Finland, correlate history and locations with the entries. A general bibliography and entry-specific bibliographies offer further resources. The Dictionary interprets a sometimes limited amount of available information, describing forms and styles of compositions, operatic roles performed, the content of scholarly work, and significant and unusual events in the lives of the musicians.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[T]he Historical Dictionary of Music and Musicians of Finland should find a place in music libraries and libraries with a strong Scandinavian concentration. This welcome resource is an excellent compilation of information pertaining to Finnish music and musicians most of which cannot be found easily in other English-language sources.”–Reference & User Services Quarterly

“[A] much-needed and important work. It will serve as a valuable and informative tool for scholars and musicians alike.”–Esa-Pekka Salonen Music Director Los Angeles Philharmonic

“Finland wields a disproportionately large impact in the music world, for such a small population. That music world often struggles to get background information, due largely to the exotic language. Historical Dictionary of the Music and Musicians of Finland provides us with a new and valuable reference in English.”–Paul Niemisto Associate Professor of Music St. Olaf College

“[This book] fills the need for easily available information in English on Finnish music. Thus far it has been difficult for writers on music in English to obtain data on the wealth of music produced in Finland. This [book] is the first major source in English treating the splendid output of music by Finnish writers which will effectively serve performing artists, critics, teachers and students by providing succinct data for program annotations, critical essays and research papers.”–Ruth T. Watanabe Professor Emerita of Music Bibliography and History Librarian Emerita Eastman School of Music

“I find it a great pleasure to see the publication of An Historical Dictionary of the Music and Musicians of Finland. It is truly an encyclopaedic work both in quality and quantity. It is also the first comprehensive publication in English about all aspects of Finnish music.”–Daniel Ping-leung Law Professor of Music The Chinese University of Hong Kong

About the Author

RUTH-ESTHER HILLILA, a third-generation Finnish-American musicologist and music educator, has devoted her life to the study and promotion of the music of Finland.

BARBARA BLANCHARD HONG, a musicologist, teaches music history and non-western music at Western Michigan University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (December 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313277281
• ISBN-13: 978-0313277283
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,970,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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