Give Me Excess of it

by Richard Gill

Richard Gill is one of Australia's best-known - and best-loved - musical figures. His career has taken him from teaching music in Sydney's western suburbs to Music Director of the Victorian Opera, and along the way an involvement with almost every major opera company and orchestra in Australia.

What truly distinguishes Richard is his passion and enthusiasm for spreading not just the joy of music, but its myriad benefits. He is our greatest musical educator, and his life's work - alongside his other roles - has been advocating music in our education system, and furthering the development of those who've gone on to choose music as a vocation. He brings music to life, and his knowledge and deep enjoyment of his subject is as inspiring and enlightening to a class of primary school students as it is to the cast of a major opera.

Give Me Excess of It is Richard's memoir, tracing his life from school days to the highs (and lows) of conducting and directing an opera company. It's warm, extremely funny, highly opinionated, occasionally rude (where warranted) and always sublimely full of the love of music.

Genres: Music, Biography, Autobiography, Australia, Memoir

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having worked with Richard Gill on several occasions, reading this memoir was a special treat. There is so much politics in the world of music, and all it serves to achieve is to get in the way of the actual music. It saddens me knowing that Richard likely will not have anywhere near “the next fifty years” to experience further challenges in the industry. A true gift to our world.

[Clio · Rating 3 out of 5]

You need to be interested in music, and particularly choral music, to enjoy this autobiography. I found it both frustrating and entertaining. I had the joy to be a chorister in the Sydney Philharmonia massed choir for Handel's Messiah conducted by Richard Gill. He was a fantastic conductor and gave great encouragement and leadership to the enthusiastic and unruly amateur choir. And he conjured a great performance from us. The autobiography was true to my experience of Gill's teaching style: Unorthodox, sincere, passionate. You can see how and why Gill makes friends and enemies. He is a force to be reckoned with in Australian music circles and I, for one, am glad he's there questioning orthodoxy, programming unusual repertoire, and encouraging young people to engage with classical music.

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a respected innovative musician and educator, could have big-noted more, but I loved Richard Gill's humility, honesty and wit. Hilarious stories about his Catholic education under sadistic nuns/brothers were balanced with gratitude that the church gave formative opportunities to sing rich heritage of ecclesiastical masterworks.

[Shirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Gill!

A nice read about a phenomenal musician. The opening is fascinating and Richard Gill’s history and passions n is engaging.

[Newtown Review of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give Me Excess of It is an immensely enjoyable book. Richard Gill and I are much of an age, both NSW Conservatorium students (though we never met there), and so many of his memories are mine as well: the glorious cacophony (usually sopranos and pianos) emanating from the windows of the old Con as you approached along Macquarie Street, and the delightful labyrinth of the building itself; the deeply suspect Continental films at the Savoy Theatre; espresso coffee, bodgies.

To read full review: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2012/...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to witness the development of a musician - Richard Gill's accounts of his childhood musical pretensions made me weep with laughter.

The author addresses the subjects of music performance and music education with passion and dry humour. I wish I'd had him as a teacher. As it is, I did learn something from reading the book.

I was less interested in his experiences with opera companies because I haven't managed to develop much interest in opera, as least not yet. Perhaps if I'd had Richard Gill as a teacher? That, and free tickets.

[Susannah Pinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the beneficiary of some of Richard's teaching and conducting in my childhood and early adulthood, I really enjoyed this book. I could hear his voice as I read, just as if it were a conversation.

There is a lot of wisdom interspersed with humour, and is a must-read for anyone involved in music education, professional musicians and students. Also parents of music students would gain some insights. I have given it to my 14 yo daughter to read next. One warning, though, Richard's language can be colourful at times.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have watched Richard Gill perform and take his place on many panels on Australian shows and he is always entertaining, amusing and irreverent. His book (a memoir of his professional life) was very interesting, but a good editing would have been of benefit.

[Vasile · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to be a musician to read and appreciate this this book. Otherwise it would be mundane.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, I enjoyed reading of Richard's early life and his thoughts on music at the end of the book. They were made more poignant because of his recent passing.