Customer Reviews

Notations 21

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Notations21" is gorgeous, and worth the wait. It was announced in early 2008, and I had ordered a copy through Amazon in May 2008 and it arrived today (May 9, 2009) -- almost exactly 40 years after John Cage's legendary "Notations" collection, which has been on my shelf since then.

The design of "Notations21" is spectacular ... subtle, lovely, comprehensive, with a wonderful feel, in full color and full-size. Each page is full of ideas from scores and essays through the design of the page itself. (The word "full" keeps coming to mind.)

The Moller/Shim/Stabler "SoundVisions" (published in 2005 and quickly out of print) was an attempt to fill the years since Cage's "Notations", and kept to the square, monochrome format. I was pleased to discover "SoundVisions", but "Notations21" is a very special book, taking advantage of both the technology and the expectations that have changed since 1969.

With 165 composers represented, "Notations21" is at last a worthy and thorough successor to "Notations".

(Disclaimer: I am one of the composers in this book. But whether I had been selected or not, I would still feel this book is remarkable.)

I eagerly looked forward to receive this book because composer Trevor Bac'a was included and because of my general interest in contemporary music. I must say that the idea intrigued me not only as a interesting compilation of new 'scoring' practices but as a useful reference and entertaining 'cocktail table' volume. However, I found the reproductions of scores to be less than accurate and virtually all of the accompanying write-ups to be almost entirely illegible .... due to poor selections of backgrounds and inks. After working hard to read the material, I finally gave up and sent it on to a musicologist with younger eyes. It could have been a excellent project if well executed ... my final thought, as stated in the title, - a truly super idea gone astray because of too much artsy-craftsy and lack-luster reproduction. Maybe next time!

"Notations 21" is a stunning book. In addition to being an excellent compendium/anthology of the different types of musical notation that can be found in many modern musical scores, it is also a book on the "art" of musical notation. The wide variety of musical scores, the essays, the superb reproductions (in both black and white, and in color), the paper on which the scores are printed, the typesetting, the visual layout and the overall organization, all amount to one highly significant contribution to modern music. In an age of highly standardized music copying programs, "Notations 21" is a breath of fresh air - both a reminder and encouragement of the many creative possibilities that are inherent in musical notation. (I was very pleased to have one of my own scores included in such an anthology.) This project was surely a labor of love by both the editor, and the publisher. "Notations 21" is both a homage to John Cage's now out-of-print 1968 landmark collection of musical scores, "Notations," and it is its more than worthy successor.

This is an inspirational book. The breadth of compositional styles, approaches and philosophies is wonderfully diverse. Thanks to the author for putting so much care, time and effort into promoting and preserving this distinct musical tradition.

Notations 21 is a landmark text in graphic music notation and the aesthetics surrounding the composers who create these types of musical "scores." It is extraordinarily beautiful and creative in its layout and choice of musical material. A must for any musician's library.

Notations 21 is a book that must be in any university, conservatory or library. You will enjoy it! congratulations to the author of this beautiful anthology!

Designers did not understand significance of this idea and in many cases just destroyed it. There listed several designers and I do not know whose fault it is. It can be an astonishing book, but now it's just a visually disorganized mess. Too much emphasis on being 'cool' and absolute indifference to the content. Although a book cover is good. Poor author, so much work with this result. I really like other books by Mark Batty Publisher and only because of it give now 3 stars.

I just stumbled upon Theresa Sauer's "Notation 21". What an amazing work this is. Rarely do you find such original research, design, and ideas as these. I know of no work to compare it to, but I felt wonder as I read the contributions and marveled at the illustrations. I'm not finished with the book, but each chapter is so innovative, so original that it's like a whole new adventure with each flip of the page. Really a treat for the mind and the eye.

I hope that Theresa Sauer will continue her research and writing. She clearly has a gift to communicate complex, creative ideas in both a visual and written media.

This is a great book for those interested in modern music and its scores. There is a great selection that really inspire. I have it on the coffee table to browse through and everytime i do i find something new and fresh.
The only thing I find lacking is the music itself. It would have been wonderful to ahve the music to listen to while reading the score.