Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians is a comprehensive reference work containing biographical entries for composers, performers, conductors, and other musical figures throughout history. The dictionary spans multiple centuries and musical traditions, from medieval times through the modern era. The entries provide key biographical details, major works and compositions, career highlights, and historical context for each musician. Documentation includes birth and death dates, locations, teachers, influences, and significant contributions to music. Nicolas Slonimsky served as editor of the dictionary for multiple editions, expanding and updating the work extensively during his tenure. The reference has gone through numerous editions since its first publication in 1900, growing from one volume to multiple volumes to accommodate additional entries and expanded information. The dictionary represents an essential chronicling of musical history through its focus on individual contributors, reflecting both the evolution of musical styles and the changing ways musical achievement has been documented and evaluated over time.

Readers value this reference work for its detailed entries on composers and musicians spanning multiple centuries of music history. The dictionary receives frequent mentions for Slonimsky's writing style, which incorporates humor and personal observations alongside factual information. Liked: - Comprehensive coverage of both major and obscure musical figures - Inclusion of contemporary/living musicians through updated editions - Clear explanations of technical musical terms - Entertaining anecdotes and colorful biographical details Disliked: - Some entries seen as too brief or incomplete - Occasional errors in dates and details - Inconsistent depth of coverage between entries - High price point for print editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.38/5 (29 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (31 reviews) Reader quote: "Unlike most music reference books, this one is actually enjoyable to read cover-to-cover. Slonimsky's wit shines through even in the shortest entries." - Amazon reviewer

The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians by Stanley Sadie This 29-volume reference work contains detailed biographical entries for composers, performers, and musical figures from ancient times to the present.

The Oxford Dictionary of Music by Michael Kennedy and Joyce Bourne Kennedy The reference guide presents biographies of musicians, definitions of musical terms, and descriptions of musical works with historical context.

The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music by Don Michael Randel This single-volume music reference contains entries for composers, performers, conductors, and other musical figures from all periods and genres.

The Penguin Dictionary of Musical Terms and Composers by Arthur Jacobs The reference book combines biographical information about composers with definitions of musical terminology and concepts.

Lives of the Great Composers by Harold C. Schonberg The chronological collection presents biographies of major classical composers from Bach to Shostakovich with historical and musical context.

📚 First published in 1900, the dictionary has grown from an initial 1,000 entries to over 18,000 entries in its most recent edition. 🎵 Nicolas Slonimsky continued updating and revising the dictionary well into his 90s, with his last edition published when he was 93 years old. 🌍 Though originally focused on Western classical musicians, later editions expanded to include jazz, rock, and world music performers. ✍️ Slonimsky was known for his witty and sometimes satirical writing style, including humorous entries like his definition of Beethoven as "The world's most popular composer of classical music and the most quoted musical person after Jesus Christ." 🎼 Many musicians considered it an honor to be "Slonimskied" - having their biography included in the dictionary, as his detailed research and comprehensive coverage made it the definitive reference work in its field.