Composers' Voices from Ives to Ellington : An Oral History of American Music (An Oral History of American Music)

"In this book Vivian Perlis and Libby Van Cleve have assembled an amazing range of composers that reflects the diversity of American music. This publication offers lively interviews with giants of American music giving the reader an inside look at ragtime, `new'music and early jazz. The actual sound of the composers' voices on CD is a unique element that gives us a glimpse into the era and the musical personalities who created it."-Dave Brubeck, composer

 

 

 

"Through this wonderful series we can truly get to know the great artists who created the music that expresses who we are as a people better than almost anything I can think of. This is an indispensable treasure trove of American history and culture, and a unique celebration of the American spirit."-Ken Burns, filmmaker

"Not only is Vivian Perlis the world's leading authority on American music, she is a lucid, thorough, and charming writer on the subject. Her invaluable Oral Histories are one-of-a-kind, as this book now proves."-Ned Rorem, Composer and Writer

"There has never been a project to rival this accomplishment. Devoting decades of work to documenting the sounds of some of our greatest creators, these two gifted women have provided a rare insight into the thoughts and voices of America's musical geniuses. This is a work that is a must-have for not only the seasoned listener, but anyone interested in our oral history."-Leonard Slatkin, Conductor

"Composers' Voices from Ives to Ellington marks the first installment in a monumental summation of a life's work. Vivian Perlis literally pioneered the use of oral history in documenting American composers, and with Libby Van Cleve presents them in this publication. The revelations-abundant, startling, moving-are shared here."-Carol J. Oja, Harvard University