Unsung: A History of Women in American Music
In this new edition of the classic text in the field, Christine Ammer surveys a full 200 years of women active in American music. From the earliest organists to contemporary innovators in jazz, succinct biographical sketches show the influences of and influences on hundreds of musicians. Adding significantly to the list, Ammer now chronicles important strides women musicians have made in the last 20 years.
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In this new edition of the classic text in the field, Christine Ammer surveys a full 200 years of women active in American music. From the earliest organists to contemporary innovators in jazz, succinct biographical sketches show the influences of and influences on hundreds of musicians. Adding significantly to the list, Ammer now chronicles important strides women musicians have made in the last 20 years. Library Journal Revised and expanded from the 1980 version (Greenwood), this "Century Edition" of the first book to survey the role of women in American music history from 1800 to 2000 reflects the information explosion in the field as evidenced by the bibliography, which includes about five dozen sources appearing after 1979. In terms of revisions, Ammer (The HarperCollins Dictionary of Music, 3d ed.) has gracefully rewritten unclear passages and corrected facts. Expansions include 18 halftone photos (not seen), updated information about women included in the first edition, and the addition of more women and more subjects: blues, jazz, ragtime, and "international fusion." Two new chapters cover electronic music, mixed media, film, performance art, and women as advocates and patrons of serious American music-making. This second edition follows the first's suit and omits women singers because "[t]hey only compete with other women in their own voice parts, and hence are immune to the gender discrimination faced by women composers, instrumentalists, and conductors." This excellent reworking of an indispensable title is highly recommended. Bonnie Jo Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Preface to the Century Edition9Preface to the First Edition111The First Flowering - At the Organ132The "Lady Violinists" and Other String Players323Seated at the Keyboard624The First "Lady Composers"915Apartheid - The All-Women's Orchestras1186American Composers in European Idioms1397Grass Roots-Composers in American Idioms1668Opera Composers and Conductors1929Contemporary and Postmodern Idioms - After 195021210Electronic Music, Mixed Media, Film, Performance Art23011Today's Orchestras, Conductors, and Instrumentalists24912Teaching Music28213Angels and Advocates303AppWomen Musicians in Thirteen Major U.S. Orchestras313Notes314Bibliography346Index361
\ Library JournalRevised and expanded from the 1980 version (Greenwood), this "Century Edition" of the first book to survey the role of women in American music history from 1800 to 2000 reflects the information explosion in the field as evidenced by the bibliography, which includes about five dozen sources appearing after 1979. In terms of revisions, Ammer (The HarperCollins Dictionary of Music, 3d ed.) has gracefully rewritten unclear passages and corrected facts. Expansions include 18 halftone photos (not seen), updated information about women included in the first edition, and the addition of more women and more subjects: blues, jazz, ragtime, and "international fusion." Two new chapters cover electronic music, mixed media, film, performance art, and women as advocates and patrons of serious American music-making. This second edition follows the first's suit and omits women singers because "[t]hey only compete with other women in their own voice parts, and hence are immune to the gender discrimination faced by women composers, instrumentalists, and conductors." This excellent reworking of an indispensable title is highly recommended. Bonnie Jo Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ BooknewsThis study of women in American music looks at past and present trends and recounts individual stories of composers, instrumentalists, conductors, orchestra and opera managers, and music educators. Ammer (a writer and amateur musician) discusses attitudes toward women's roles in both music and society, looking back to the earliest European settlers in the 1600s, but focusing on the years 1800-2000. New chapters and material have been added to this edition. Although it can be argued that tremendous strides have been made in the opportunities available to women, this study offers a long-term perspective on the inadequate recognition women receive and the comparatively small number of them hired to serve on music faculties and in symphony orchestras. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \
