The Twentieth Century String Quartet [Hardcover]

Ian Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810840022 | ISBN-13: 978-0810840027 | Publication Date: April 4, 2001

Comprehensive database of original works written for the standard string quartet during the twentieth century. The sources of information include publishers' list, music reference materials, data from national music information centers, programmes, composers' correspondence and other publicity materials. Lawrence lists countries that have produced string quartets throughout the century, as well as the context of a composer's string-quartet output within the wider range of his/her work. Lawrence's book is a solid, comprehensive basis for investigation, welcome in universities and conservatories, as well as in any music enthusiast's library.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ian Lawrence was born in London, received a master degree from Queens' College, University of Cambridge, and a doctorate from the University of Leeds. He was formerly Head of the Department of Education, West London Institute (now Brunel University), London, U.K. He is the author of many articles and books on music and music education, including Composers and the Nature of Music Education.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (April 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810840022
• ISBN-13: 978-0810840027
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,655,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars For String Quartet Obsessives Only, September 9, 2010

By 

John Hood - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Twentieth Century String Quartet (Hardcover)

This is a listing of all known string quartets written in the twentieth century. Sources are research, recordings and published scores. It is a stark reference work. In the main body of the book every word is under a heading; Composer, Year Born etc., Quartet No, Year composed, Recording Catalogue info and possibly Opus no. It has no text other than that. You can't read this book, only refer to it. I don't know how much harder it would have been to do but it does not indicate the keys of the works or the tempo of the individual movements. This would have been extremely helpful.

There are some introductory text sections and some useful information in the appendicies, but the bulk of the book is reference only.

Being an obsessive mp3 and CD string quartet collector, it's useful. I cringed at the price. I doubt if it will be surpassed in the future, it must have been a labour of love. Not for the casual string quartet listener. All they would need could be found on the CD cover. I have trouble rating it for others but for me it's worthwhile for that bit of information that helps you pull some things together. It also shows you what's out there, e.g. which quartets of this composer am I lacking? For the initiated SQ obsessive (and libraries) only.

I would have preferred not to be the first reviewer!