The Rest Is Noise
By Alex Ross
- Release Date: 2007-10-16
- Genre: Music
Description
Winner of the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism
A New York Times Book Review Top Ten Book of the Year
Time magazine Top Ten Nonfiction Book of 2007
Newsweek Favorite Books of 2007
A Washington Post Book World Best Book of 2007
In this sweeping and dramatic narrative, Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, weaves together the histories of the twentieth century and its music, from Vienna before the First World War to Paris in the twenties; from Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia to downtown New York in the sixties and seventies up to the present. Taking readers into the labyrinth of modern style, Ross draws revelatory connections between the century's most influential composers and the wider culture. The Rest Is Noise is an astonishing history of the twentieth century as told through its music.
Reviews
Wonderful book
5By Eclecticperson34I learned much of what I know about 20th century music from this spectacular book. This book gives every composer (and reader) a fair chance. You need no background in music to appreciate this masterfully woven tapestry of giants and geniuses. Even if you think you know a lot, this book will be a true delight! I cannot recommend this book highly enough!The Rest is Noise
5By Mahler LoverThis is the best book on 20th century music yet written. It is entertaining, comprehensive, and enlightening. A truly outstanding read.