String Quartets: A Research and Information Guide

by Mara Parker

This research guide is an annotated bibliography of sources dealing with the string quartet. This second edition is organized as in the original publication (chapters for general references, histories, individual composers, aspects of performance, facsimiles and critical editions, and miscellaneous topics) and has been updated to cover research since publication of the first edition. Listings in the previous volume have been updated to reflect the burgeoning interest in this genre (social aspects, newly issued critical editions, doctoral dissertations). It also offers commentary on online links, databases, and references.

500 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2004

Reviews

[Philippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A valuable resource for researchers with a specific interest in the string quartet. The book is part of a series of Routledge research and information guides on a wide variety of classical music related subjects. It is basically a list of references to academic sources (in journals, books, conference proceedings, dissertations and such like), grouped in large categories such as 'Histories', 'Individual Composers', 'Aspects of Performance' and 'Facsimiles and Critical Editions'. The second edition dates from 2011 and includes pointers to online publications and some websites (such as official sites of performing ensembles). Languages covered include English, German, French and Italian, with scattered references to publications in Slavic languages. The big selling point of this book is the inclusion of short summaries of (almost) every entry in the book. This makes it very easy to assess whether a specific article or book is worthwhile chasing down.

The guide seems reasonably complete. I was able to locate all the resources on Xenakis' first quartet (ST/4) I had tracked down via a large academic database. But a reference to the personal memoir of Borodin Quartet founder Rostislav Dubinsky (Stormy Applause: Making Music in a Worker's State) is missing.

The book is available in an electronic version. Hence it is child's play to pinpoint specific sources. Altogether a must have for quartet aficionados.