With its depth of coverage and international scope this first-of-its-kind volume contains a comprehensive collection of information on recordings (LPs, CDs, or Cassettes) in which percussion instruments are featured as solo instruments or as part of chamber ensembles, with the best of the literature and performers worldwide. Percussion Discography includes information about the composer of a particular work, the composition’s title, the record company that issued the recording, the number of the recording, and the performer(s) on each recording. For example, at the entry for Paul Creston’s widely known work Concertino for Marimba four separate recordings are cited. The discographic listings that deal entirely with music for which a written score is available as opposed to improvisational music are organized alphabetically by composer last name and within each composer’s output by the title of the composition. Each compositional entry is followed by the record company and the catalog number. When possible, the performer’s name is listed at the end of each entry. Indexes of performers and composition titles facilitate cross referencing and the directory of recording companies and distributors that have been mentioned in the discography aids those who wish to obtain an actual sound recording either through a record store or directly from the company.
Containing some of the 20th century’s most remarkable composers, arrangers, and performers, the volume will be useful to departments of composition at universities as a source for 20th-century compositional materials. Conservatory libraries and libraries at universities and colleges with music programs need the solid, in-depth coverage of the recorded percussion repertoire presented here. Performers, music educators, and students will find it an indispensable guide for expanding their knowledge of percussion literature.
