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Date: | Thu, 4 Apr 2002 18:47:38 -0600 |
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Dan Schmidt:
>I just read Ernst Toch's THE SHAPING FORCES OF MUSIC, which I found to
>be an insightful discussion of various aspects of the art of composition,
>delivered in a winningly crusty manner.
It's one of my favorite books. I've re-read it several times. It
de-mystifies the composing process, but, paradoxically, makes great
work seem miraculous.
>It made me want to explore Toch's
>music. Where's the best place to start?
Honestly, I've loved everything of his I've heard. He's known for
his string quartets and chamber music. There's a great piano quintet.
His symphonies are well worth exploring (the third, I believe, won the
Pulitzer). He's got a very energetic piano concerto and cello concerto.
There's a jeu d'esprit called the Geographical Fugue -- a killer fugue
based solely on spoken words and rhythms. As I say, everything by him I've
heard I've liked, including such minor works as the Pinocchio Overture, the
music for Peter Pan, and the Divertimento. He is one fine composer,
perhaps even a great one.
Steve Schwartz
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