Listening to the twentieth century is a 2007 nonfiction book by the american music critic, alex ross, first published by farrar, straus and giroux. Listening to the twentieth century 2007 and listen to this 2011. The rest is noise, a sevenyear work that culminated in this recent release, is perhaps his finest work to date. Alex ross, the brilliant music critic for the new yorker, shines a bright light on this secret world, and shows how it has pervaded every corner of twentieth century life. Listening to the twentieth century kindle edition by ross, alex. Listening to the twentieth century 01 by ross, alex isbn. While paintings of picasso and jackson pollock sell for a hundred million dollars or more, and lines from t. The rest is noise takes the reader inside the labyrinth of modern sound. Oct 12, 2007 alex ross, the music critic for the new yorker, talks about his new book the rest is noise, his love of the new york music scene, and how he didnt listen to sonic youth until college. In this sweeping and dramatic narrative, alex ross, music critic for the. This page contains details about the nonfiction book the rest is noise by alex ross published in 2007. Listening to the twentieth century, was a finalist for the pulitzer prize and won a national book critics circle award. Alex rosss enthralling history of 20thcentury music is, for me, one of those books. Music critic alex ross spent years researching the history of these 20th century composers and his research paid off with the wonderful book the rest is noise.
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. Oct 16, 2007 minimalist music has had a huge effect on rock, pop, and dance music from the velvet underground onward. This book is the 939th greatest nonfiction book of all time as determined by. Alex ross, the brilliant music critic for the new yorker, shines a bright light on this secret. Alex ross, classical music critic of the new yorker, has always astounded me with his extraordinarily engaging and highly intelligent music critiques. The rest is noise by alex ross overdrive rakuten overdrive. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Listening to the twentieth century, a cultural history of music since 1900, won a national book critics circle award and the guardian first book award, and was a finalist for the pulitzer prize. Ludovic huntertilroy, financial times books of the year alex ross breaks new ground. The rest is noise is often referred to as the book on 20th century classical music. He has been on the staff of the new yorker magazine since 1996, and he has written the books the rest is noise. Just occasionally someone writes a book youve waited your life to read. The rest is noise by alex rossross is not only good on the big picture but masterly in his choice of detail, says nicholas lezard. Whenever a new piece of his comes out i know im going to be smarter than i was before.
Andrew patners a portrait in four movements university of chicago press, arni heimir ingolfssons jon leifs and the musical invention of iceland, mark strykers jazz from detroit university of michigan press, nicole grimess brahmss elegies. The music critic for the new yorker tells the story of the 20th century through its music ross explores the cultural predicament of the composer, tracking how the composers role has changed from its privileged status in findesiecle europe, where people like mahler were celebrated like rock stars, to the composers current status, compromised by the advent of mass communication. He was named a macarthur fellow in 2008 and a guggenheim. Listening to the twentieth century is a 2007 nonfiction book by the american music critic, alex ross, first published by farrar, straus and. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Listening to the twentieth century by alex ross 624pp, fourth estate. Oct 14, 2008 the rest is noise by alex ross, 9780312427719, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Taking as his starting point a production of richard strausss salome, conducted by the composer on 16 may 1906 with puccini. The rest is noise, his bestselling 2007 book on the history of the 20th century through its music, is now being reworked as a yearlong music festival at the southbank centre in london. Alex ross, music critic for the new yorker, offers ten recommended recordings outstanding performances of great 20thcentury music as discussed in his book, the rest is noise. Eliot are quoted on the yearbook pages of alienated teenagers across the land, twentiethcentury. Listening to the twentieth century is a voyage into the labyrinth of modern music, which remains an obscure world for most people. Alex ross s sweeping history of twentiethcentury classical music, winner of the guardian first book. It tells of maverick personalities who have resisted the cult of the classical past, struggled. The best books on writing about music five books expert.
Is it someone who invents music from nothing, or someone who seeks inspiration in. Minimalist music has had a huge effect on rock, pop, and dance music from the velvet underground onward. Listening to the twentieth century, by alex ross farrar, straus and giroux share. The rest is noise books, articles, and a blog by the music critic of the new yorker. Alex ross is one of my mustread new yorker writers. In the rest is noise, alex ross, music critic of the new yorker, gives us a riveting tour of the wild landscape of twentiethcentury classical music. The rest is noise takes the reader inside the labyrinth of modern. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the rest is noise. The idea is not simply to conduct a survey of 20thcentury classical composition but to come up with a history of that century as. Alex ross, music critic for the new yorker, is the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including two ascap deems taylor awards for music criticism, a holtzbrinck fellowship at the american academy in berlin, a fleck fellowship from the banff centre, and a letter of distinction from the american music center for significant contributions to the field of contemporary music.
George walden, tls books of the year the rest is noise achieves the aim with bravura, hacking out a path leading from cacophonous european modernism to the white noise of the velvet underground. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Steven poole is entranced by alex rosss musical masterpiece, the rest is noise steven poole sat 15 mar 2008 12. Books, articles, and a blog by the music critic of the new yorker alex ross. Recommended listening from alex rosss book, the rest is noise. The rest is noise npr coverage of the rest is noise. Alex ross has been the music critic of the new yorker since 1996.