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