Tales from the Symphony

Perspectives from African American Musicians

Robert Lee Watt

$160

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
07 May 2024

Classical music (c 1750 to c 1830); Social & cultural history; Ethnic studies; Black & Asian studies

This book contains conversations with nineteen African American classical musicians currently performing—or who have previously performed—in America’s major symphony orchestras. Each chapter focuses on the story of one musician and sheds light on the realities of African American musicians playing in a musical environment that absolutely forbade their membership over half a century ago.

These conversations explore the deeply ingrained prejudices that some hold against African American people in symphony orchestras, conservatories, and other musical institutions. By amplifying these voices, the book provides a variety of perspectives on the almost cloistered world of these beloved institutions. The stories and lessons shared in this book will be invaluable to music students, teachers, and orchestral professionals.

By: Robert Lee Watt
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 237mm, Width: 161mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 544g
ISBN: 9781538194737
ISBN 10: 1538194732
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 07 May 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Robert Lee Watt studied French horn at the New England Conservatory of Music with Harry Shapiro of the Boston Symphony. In 1970, he was hired by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as assistant first French horn under maestro Zubin Mehta, making him the first African American French hornist hired by a major symphony in the United States. ,

Reviews for Tales from the Symphony: Perspectives from African American Musicians

""In this spirited collection of conversations, Robert Watt lucidly unveils the underpinnings of little-known stories about African Americans in classical music. It's a striking potpourri of perspectives."" ""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members.""