Nicolas Slonimsky: The First Hundred Years

Nicolas Slonimsky: The First Hundred Years is an autobiography chronicling the long and varied musical career of conductor, composer, and lexicographer Nicolas Slonimsky. The narrative follows his journey from early life in Russia through his emergence as a notable figure in twentieth century classical music. The book recounts Slonimsky's experiences conducting premieres of works by composers like Charles Ives and Edgar Varèse, as well as his contributions to music scholarship through publications like the Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns. His interactions with major musical figures of the era, including Igor Stravinsky and Henry Cowell, provide insight into the classical music world of the 1900s. The text documents Slonimsky's work as a musical lexicographer and his process of compiling reference works that became standard resources in music education. His activities as a conductor, particularly his championing of contemporary composers, represent a significant portion of the narrative. The autobiography serves as both a personal history and a chronicle of twentieth century classical music's evolution in America. Through Slonimsky's perspective, readers gain understanding of the period's shifting musical landscape and the role of individual innovators in shaping musical discourse.

Reviews indicate the autobiography provides insight into Slonimsky's experiences conducting avant-garde music and his relationships with composers like Charles Ives and Edgar Varèse. Readers note the book captures his wit and personality through amusing anecdotes. Liked: - Detailed accounts of early 20th century music scene - Personal stories about major composers - Technical music discussions balanced with humor - Clear writing style Disliked: - Some tangents and digressions from main narrative - Musical terminology can be dense for casual readers - Limited coverage of later career years Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Reader quote: "Slonimsky's sharp wit and encyclopedic knowledge shine through. His accounts of premiering difficult modern works are fascinating." - Goodreads reviewer Note: Limited review data available online for this niche music autobiography.

Memoirs of an Amnesiac by Oscar Levant The life story of a concert pianist and wit chronicles his experiences in classical music, Hollywood, and broadcasting during the same era as Slonimsky.

Testament of Music: Essays and Papers by Ernest Newman A collection of writings from the music critic's career presents insights into twentieth-century classical music from a contemporary of Slonimsky.

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians by Theodore Baker This comprehensive reference work represents the type of musical documentation and preservation that Slonimsky dedicated much of his career to maintaining.

The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross The book traces the history of twentieth-century classical music through the same period Slonimsky lived and worked, featuring many of the composers he knew and championed.

Henry Cowell: A Man Made of Music by Joel Sachs The biography of experimental composer Henry Cowell intersects with Slonimsky's life and work in the avant-garde music scene of the twentieth century.

🎵 Nicolas Slonimsky was not only a musicologist but also a conductor who premiered works by Charles Ives, Edgar Varèse, and other avant-garde composers when few others would tackle their complex pieces. 📚 The book's title cleverly plays with the fact that Slonimsky lived to be 101 years old, nearly reaching his self-proclaimed goal of living through three centuries. 🎼 As editor of Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Slonimsky personally wrote thousands of composer biographies and was known for his witty, precise, and sometimes satirical entries. 🌎 Though born in Russia, Slonimsky became one of America's most influential music scholars and wrote extensively in five languages: Russian, Ukrainian, English, French, and German. 🎹 Frank Zappa frequently cited Slonimsky's "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns" as a major influence on his compositions, and the two later became friends, with Slonimsky even performing on Zappa's album "Perfect Stranger."