"The Secret Life of Musical Notation"

[Wescott]

Has anyone here read this book. If so, what are your thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Musi ... eature_div

[Fred G. Unn]

I have it. Unfortunately, most of my notation books are in storage until we move into our new house at the end of January, and I can't really remember that one, LOL. I'd be happy to write up a review of it then.

[Wescott]

Oh that's great.

I hope the move goes well for you.

[John Ruggero]

There is reference to the book at:

viewtopic.php?p=10051&hilit=The+Secret+ ... ion#p10051

I read it several years ago, and remember that while I didn't agree with many of the conclusions, felt that it is a good antidote to the idea that musical symbols mean just one thing. Musical expression is very complicated, and we have only a few symbols to clarify it where needed. This means that one must actually have good musical instincts to begin with; following the "directions" is not as simple as making a cake. You must already have a pretty good idea of what the composers is after and then the markings will confirm what you suspect or let you know that you are way off.

So everything is up for grabs. What this Allegro, this hairpin, this sforzando, this dotted rhythm, this stretto, this ornament, etc. all takes interpretation. The less you go into it with fixed ideas, the less baggage you carry and the closer you are to possibly determining what the composer actually wanted.

[Wescott]

John, thanks for the feedback.