cover image Musical Events: A Chronicle, 1980-1983

Musical Events: A Chronicle, 1980-1983

Andrew Porter. Summit Books, $24.45 (524pp) ISBN 978-0-671-63538-1

This is the fourth volume of Porter's music criticism gathered from the New Yorker. Rather than a simple hodgepodge of essays on various musical topics, the book is gracefully composed, a seamless survey of what the musical life of the nation has been in the years covered. One is never aware of reading about performances that have taken place as long ago as seven years: so elegantly blended are this critic's knowledge of music history and his clear-headed performance analysis that, although it's a cliche, one might say that it animates the printed page with the sounds of music. Porter gives a fresh ear to everything he listens to, whether it's a new production of an oft-performed opera or the premier of a new instrumental work by an avant-garde composer. He always seeks to understand the performer or composer's intentions, as well as the quality of the work or production itself. The essays are addictive entertainment if read at random; that one can also read the collection from cover to cover is an indication of the rich intellectual experiences offered. (October 14)