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Song

A History in 12 Parts

John Potter

$41.95

Hardback

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English
Yale University
07 November 2023
From one of our most innovative singers, a vibrant history of song stretching from Hildegard von Bingen and Benjamin Britten to Björk

 

“Songs can be intensely personal (whether you hear them or sing them) and none of us would choose the same twelve songs as anyone else. My choices are based on decades of performing experience in many different genres, but I hope they will reveal aspects of our common humanity as the story evolves from the Middle Ages to the present.”

 

In this celebratory account, author and singer John Potter tells the European story of song. The form has captivated audiences and excited performers for centuries, from the music of the troubadours and the Christian liturgy through classical composers such as Bach and Schumann up to Britten, Berio, and the rise of popular music.

 

Choosing twelve key works, Potter offers a personal tour through this vital tradition, from John Dowland’s “Flow My Tears” to George Gershwin’s “Summertime.” Throughout, he reveals who wrote and sang these joyful masterpieces—and what they mean to singers and audiences today.

By:  
Imprint:   Yale University
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 216mm,  Width: 140mm, 
ISBN:   9780300263534
ISBN 10:   0300263538
Pages:   360
Publication Date:  
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

John Potter’s books include Tenor and A History of Singing. His singing career has included first performances of works by Luciano Berio, Arvo Pärt, and Gavin Bryars, and backing vocals for Manfred Mann and The Who. He records for ECM and was a major contributor to the Hilliard Ensemble’s million-selling Officium album.

Reviews for Song: A History in 12 Parts

“John Potter’s timely and ecumenical meditation on 12 songs explores the enigmatic nature of what constitutes a song, why songs continue to be important, and perhaps how or whether they can survive as a uniquely human undertaking.”—Sting “Erudite, witty, rewardingly provocative and absorbing – this book got me revisiting the songs I used to sing and rushing to seek out the ones I didn’t know.”—Catherine Bott, singer and broadcaster “A richly fascinating take on the enduring power and shape-shifting form of the art song, told with authority and wit by the uniquely qualified John Potter.”—Kerry Andrew, composer, performer and author “John Potter's wide-ranging experience across many styles of vocal music ensures an entertaining and original view.”—John Surman, saxophonist and composer


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