My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Abrams Books for an advanced copy of this book on modern composers who have flown under the radar and people's speakers.

I love music of all kinds. Starting with AM radio in the car, than watching Soul Train, Solid Gold and occasionally American Bandstand, and later MTV and Night Flight. Movies though were a big influence. I loved movie soundtracks, especially Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian and of course Blade Runner. Hearing this kind of music, both classical and electronic made me want to hear more. My father introduced me to Holst and his Planets and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. From there I would read interviews with musicians I liked and went back to their influences Frank Zappa and Edgard Varèse, and others. Though I do have to say my taste in composers all seemed to be white and male, which means I missed a lot of great music. I would have loved to have had this book back in the day. BBC broadcaster, historian and educator Kate Molleson has in Sound Within Sound: Radical Composers of the Twentieth Century has written an alternate history of modern composers bringing to light men and women who have slipped through the cracks, and who have never received the accolades their work so deserves.

The book begins with a discussion between the author and George E. Lewis, an American composer and educator at a shared event. Molleson shares her idea for a book about composers that are not as well known and asks Lewis his opinion on how she should write the book. Lewis tells her, "Prove that they existed. Make your readers want to hear their music." And that Molleson does. Ten composers are featured, in chronological order not in a top ten list way, including composers like Julián Carrillo from Mexico, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Annea Lockwood and others. Each chapter offers a biographical sketch, best works, a history of their reception and what people thought of them and musical controversies if necessary.

This is a book that will make great demands on a reader's musical streaming services. Reading along to the music gives the reader a better sense of what the composers were creating, and what makes certain pieces so important. The essay are very comprehensive, full of information about both the composers, their times, careers and sometimes why they have become forgotten. Many of the essays feature interviews with the composers, or their family, which is a nice touch, and really fills out the sketches. Molleson has a nice style, and has a good way of conveying information, though musicians will probably get more out of certain sections then laymen, however there is nothing that is too over a reader's head to follow along. What really comes across is that Molleson really loves to discuss music, and wants to pass that knowledge on to readers, and give these composers a little bit of fame for their beautiful works. My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Abrams Books for an advanced copy of this book on modern composers who have flown under the radar and people's speakers.

I love music of all kinds. Starting with AM radio in the car, than watching Soul Train, Solid Gold and occasionally American Bandstand, and later MTV and Night Flight. Movies though were a big influence. I loved movie soundtracks, especially Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian and of course Blade Runner. Hearing this kind of music, both classical and electronic made me want to hear more. My father introduced me to Holst and his Planets and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. From there I would read interviews with musicians I liked and went back to their influences Frank Zappa and Edgard Varèse, and others. Though I do have to say my taste in composers all seemed to be white and male, which means I missed a lot of great music. I would have loved to have had this book back in the day. BBC broadcaster, historian and educator Kate Molleson has in Sound Within Sound: Radical Composers of the Twentieth Century has written an alternate history of modern composers bringing to light men and women who have slipped through the cracks, and who have never received the accolades their work so deserves.

The book begins with a discussion between the author and George E. Lewis, an American composer and educator at a shared event. Molleson shares her idea for a book about composers that are not as well known and asks Lewis his opinion on how she should write the book. Lewis tells her, "Prove that they existed. Make your readers want to hear their music." And that Molleson does. Ten composers are featured, in chronological order not in a top ten list way, including composers like Julián Carrillo from Mexico, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Annea Lockwood and others. Each chapter offers a biographical sketch, best works, a history of their reception and what people thought of them and musical controversies if necessary.

This is a book that will make great demands on a reader's musical streaming services. Reading along to the music gives the reader a better sense of what the composers were creating, and what makes certain pieces so important. The essay are very comprehensive, full of information about both the composers, their times, careers and sometimes why they have become forgotten. Many of the essays feature interviews with the composers, or their family, which is a nice touch, and really fills out the sketches. Molleson has a nice style, and has a good way of conveying information, though musicians will probably get more out of certain sections then laymen, however there is nothing that is too over a reader's head to follow along. What really comes across is that Molleson really loves to discuss music, and wants to pass that knowledge on to readers, and give these composers a little bit of fame for their beautiful works.

Recommended for fans of modern classical, or for all music fans. Creative people will get ideas and learn perseverance and how to accept that maybe the art that is being created is not for everyone, but someone out there might like it, and will be touched and changed by what you have made. Again play the music while reading, it will enhance the experience and add to the enjoyment of this very fun book.


Recommended for fans of modern classical, or for all music fans. Creative people will get ideas and learn perseverance and how to accept that maybe the art that is being created is not for everyone, but someone out there might like it, and will be touched and changed by what you have made. Again play the music while reading, it will enhance the experience and add to the enjoyment of this very fun book.

This is a really impressive work. The detailed research and clear care that went into writing this really shows throughout. I think I'm not really the target audience for this though. As interesting as it is, and even with a solid base of music theory from taking piano and guitar lessons growing up, I was out of my depth a bit with some of the terminology and information surrounding technique. That being said, I think this would be an incredible read for many in the music community and I even recommended it to a close friend who is heavily involved in music. I think this should be incorporated into classes in some manner, because the information is just so cool.

While I was reading it, I actually put the music of the composer on in the background as I was reading their chapter. I really appreciated learning about new influential names from marginalized groups and those who impacted music culture but have not received as much recognition for their work as some composers.

I have a master's degree in music and had a wonderful 20th century music class in grad school, but this book was a revelation. I had only ever heard of one of these composers before, but that was about it. Molleson eloquently tells us what else was going on while all those famous European guys were doing their thing.
My musical taste never ran to the really avant garde, atonal, or electronic, because I was a singer, and I agreed with Samuel Barber that dissonance produces tension, which requires resolution. But these composers are brought to life so well by Molleson that I found myself wishing for a website with excerpts of the music she discusses (to the extent that would actually be possible!).
If you teach 20th century music, add this book to your syllabus. If you want to understand the classical music of the 20th century better, read Alex Ross's book The Rest Is Noise, and follow it directly with this book.