Table of Contents

Contents: Preface; Early years; Style (I): melody and harmony; Style (II): rhythm and form; From the 4 Logue Songs to Scenes from Comus: 1959-1965; More than one homage: 1966-1971; 'Wir Wandeln durch des Tones Macht': 1971-1982; After the symphony: 1982-1989; 'Many splendoured things': 1991-1997; Recent years; Generic list of works; Chronological list of works; Discography; Personalia; Bibliography; Indexes.

About the Author

Edward Venn is Lecturer in Music at the University of Lancaster, UK.

Reviews

'The appearance of the first book-length study of this composer is very welcome, and all the more so as it has fulfilled its brief in such an elegant and discerning style...This is a very informative and insightful study of a much admired body of music ...I am sure there will be many devotees of Wood who will be delighted to read it, as I was.' Jeremy Thurlow, Robinson College, University of Cambridge ’... diligent, sympathetic and solid study.' Times Literary Supplement ’... well-presented book... it is a promising debut alongside which future studies of Hugh Wood's music will certainly have to be judged, and consistently thorough, informative, useful, and lively... its narrative descriptions and analytical interpretations of the music deserve to become standard fare for programme-notes for future performances... Venn's neatly and carefully tailored prose consistently succeeds in conjuring up images and impressions of the music that bring it to life and reflect upon its expressive style clearly and efficiently, and that make you wish very much to hear more of it.’ Tempo ’The appearance of a book-length study of the composer is ... to be welcomed enthusiastically ... Indeed, The Music of Hugh Wood represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the composer’s music. The opening three chapters are contextual, and for anyone coming to this music for the first time, they are unquestionably essential reading ... Read in conjunction with the composer’s own selected writings, Staking Out the Territory, The Music of Hugh Wood is crucial reading for devotees of Wood’s music and for those interested more widely in contemporary British music.’ Music and Letters ’Venn’s study of Wood is doubly useful, documenting the details of his music, and also positioning him within British musical culture. ... It raises questions about the music of the last sixty years that are relevant and central to the understanding of music by a diverse collection