 |
The Oxford Illustrated Companion to South Indian Classical Music
Publisher: Oxford University Press (India)
2nd revised edition 2009
ISBN-13: 978-019-569998-X
ISBN-10: 019-569998-2
Number of pages: 517, xxiii
Dimensions: 190 x 245 mm, 1205 g
Author: Ludwig Pesch with T.R. Sundaresan (resource person for sections pertaining to rhythm and percussion)
Illustrators: illustrations by Sangita Kalasikhamani S. Rajam and V.C. Arun
Book launch: 90th birthday felicitation for S. Rajam 28.02.09 | view the photographs | Kerala
|
The Hindu "a must-read and a worthy addition to a classical music aficionado’s collection ... the scope is comprehensive, the content is meticulously researched and accurately presented and the tone communicative, striking an instant rapport with the reader ... employs simple language and lucid explanations to unscramble jargon and decipher technicalities ... pure reading pleasure." – Friday Review (13 March 2009)
Sunday Herald "brings in a single volume the various forms of South Indian Classical music, instruments used in it, biographical entries on all prominent composers, theorists and musicians, and staff notation for all the 72 scales and hundreds of ragas. All this is embellished with more than 100 line drawings, photographs and staves by well-known artists" – Art & Culture (29 March 2009)
Sruti Magazine (about the 1st edition): "a clear exposition of all the facets of Carnatic music ... practical and up-to-date ... The whole chapter captioned ‘Types of Ragas’ is a delight ... very well prepared and informative sections on composers of South India and biographical notes on musicians and music scholars ... this is a ‘Companion’ in every sense of the term to all lovers of Carnatic music."
Music and Letters Quarterly (about the 1st edition) "engaging, informative and authoritative. ... fascinating and highly readable throughout. ... a valuable and reliable work of reference for students and scholars of Indian music." (Vol. 81, Number 4, November 2000) |
The Telegraph "Pesch’s sumptuous Illustrated Companion is a delight ... The description of musical forms is well done, as is a very fine discussion of concert patterns. Likewise, the discussion on the major instruments used in a Carnatic concert. ... The notes on composers are particularly well written ... all the relevant details are succinctly and intelligently given ... a book to be owned and cherished." (7 August 2009)
Hindustan Times "very new, extremely handsome, second edition" - Body and soul" – Body and soul (16 March 2009)
The Hindu (about the 1st edition) "Something to sing about - a most informative, thorough, and scientifically accurate companion to our classical music ... easily understood ... should figure in the library of every rasika." - Literary Review (7 February 1999)
Frontline Magazine (about the 1st edition) "lucid style ... fine sensitivity to subtleties ... useful to the layperson ... well-researched ... more than a reference book. ... The chapter on voice ... could benefit a contemporary Carnatic musician." (March 13 - 26, 1999)
The Journal of the Music Academy Madras (about the 1st edition): "Indian music terminologies in Indian languages are explained precisely" (Vol. LXX 1999) |
