Slonimsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes by Nicholas Slonimsky

by Nicolas Slonimsky

"Scathing reviews, whimsical stories, and diverting games fill the pages of this kaleidoscope of skewed takes on the world of Classical music. Slonimsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes dishes out a marvelous feast of tales served up by a master storyteller whose reach extends around the world and to the beginnings of civilization. In these pages you'll learn a musical bicycle patented in 1896, and a musical bed built in the 1880s; the first flute players' union - founded in 300 B.C.!; an orchestra made up of animals, and an opera performed by cats; how Schillinger composed a fugue based on the financial pages; and the legal battle between a trained seal and the ASCAP lawyers who would not allow him to perform on radio." Slonimsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes is a collection of unique and humorous tales and stories discovered in newspaper files and musical journals contemporary with the events, composers, and musicians depicted - perishables worth preserving, as Slonimsky explained it.

Genres: Music

Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Vincent Hernot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely enjoyable - if mostly instantly forgettable - little book. Slonimsky's knowledge of music and musicians was unbelievably extensive, and his interest in historical details give these anecdotes something extra: beyond the funny ones there's a lot of more serious ideas here and there.
Of course, despite his success with Jazzmen, Slonimsky really only knows - and talks - about classical music. But a musician is a musician is a musician, so...

[Rene Saller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically always on my desk, at all times. I dip into it constantly, so I can't say that I've ever "finished" it, although I'm sure I have read every page multiple times by now.