SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Walter Scott
1 of 10 Pages     Next ›

Sir Walter Scott was perhaps the most popular literary figure in Europe in the 1820s. His adventurous tales set in chivalrous times captured an atmosphere of romance and mysticism, and exploited the vogue for Scottish subjects which was enveloping Europe. Rossini’s La donna del lago (‘The Lady of the Lake’, 1819), was the first successful opera derived from Scott’s works. ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

The original rock’n’roll lead guitarist, Scotty Moore (b. 1931) was born near Gadsden, Tennessee. Moore began playing guitar at the age of eight, largely self-taught. Although he aspired to playing jazz like Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow, he was also influenced by country guitarists like Merle Travis and, in particular, Chet Atkins. After Navy service ...

Source: Rock Guitar Heroes, consultant editor Rusty Cutchin

(Tuba, bass, 1900–57) By the end of the 1930s Walter Page had brought the usually subordinate roll of the bass to a position of critical importance without substantially expanding its time-keeping function. As a component of the unique Count Basie ‘all-American’ rhythm section from 1936–42, he produced a large, round but never percussive attack, whose ringing ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Harmonica, vocals, 1918–61) Walter Horton was born in Horn Lake, Mississippi. He taught himself harmonica at the age of five and was working the streets shortly thereafter. He moved to Chicago in 1940 but it wasn’t until later in the decade that he began to be more active professionally. Horton replaced Junior Wells in the Muddy Waters Band ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Harmonica, vocals, 1930–68) Marion Walter Jacobs was born in Marksville, Louisiana. He taught himself harmonica at the age of eight and was working the New Orleans streets by the time he was 12. He worked in Helena, Arkansas (where he met Rice Miller) and St. Louis before arriving in Chicago in 1946. He was encouraged by guitarists ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Guitar, vocals, b. 1943) This New Orleans guitarist started out accompanying R&B singers, but as a leader in the 1970s he developed a strong local following and gradually crossed over to wider audiences through appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He debuted on Rounder Records in 1986 with the funky Wolf Tracks, following up ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Guitar, vocals, b. 1951) In a BBC radio poll, blues rocker Trout was ranked number six among the top 20 guitarists of all time. Not bad for an Ocean City, New Jersey native who worked for decades as a sideman with John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Canned Heat and John Mayall before forming his ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Vocal duo, 1933–58) In Chicago in the early 1930s, Myrtle Cooper (Lulu Belle, 1913–99) and Scott Wiseman (1909–81) were young North Carolinians performing on WLS’s National Barn Dance. When they fell in love, the station exploited them as sweethearts of the radio, increasing their fan mail and attracting record and movie companies. Their rapport and old-fashioned ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Music, consultant editor Bob Allen

(Vocals, guitar, songwriter, b. 1936) Jack Scafone was born in Windsor, Ontario. He wrote most of his own material and all his recordings are highly distinctive, owing to his bluesy, baritone voice and, in many cases, the vocal harmonies of The Chantones. A shy man, he should have become a major country ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Music, consultant editor Bob Allen

1868–1917 American composer More than any other composer, Joplin brought ragtime to its pinnacle: his Maple Leaf Rag (1899) is characteristic of his joyous and infectious but disciplined art, while 15 years later Magnetic Rag, with its dramatic and unexpected shifts of key, suggests a composer ready to expand into other areas. Joplin evidently thought so, ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

1894–1976 American composer Piston studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and Dukas, then taught at Harvard University (Leonard Bernstein and Elliott Carter, 1908–2012, were among his pupils), publishing several composition textbooks. His music, including eight symphonies, is neo-classical, athletically energetic and graceful. Recommended Recording: The Incredible Flutist, New York PO (cond) Leonard Bernstein (Sony) ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

1876–1962 German conductor After conducting at the Vienna Court Opera, Walter was music director at the Munich Opera 1913–22, and at the Städtische Oper, Berlin 1925–29. He worked at the Vienna Opera in the 1930s, but left Austria after the Anschlüss and settled in the US. He conducted regularly at Covent Garden 1924–31, and at the ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

1895–1956 German pianist Born in France to German parents, Gieseking was particularly associated with the music of Debussy and Ravel. He studied in Hanover, where he performed a near-complete cycle of the Beethoven sonatas. His recitals in the 1920s included much contemporary music, and he was admired as an interpreter of Mozart and Beethoven. Introduction | Modern Era ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1936) Canadian Jack Scafone Jr. has enjoyed hits on three record labels since his 1958 breakthrough with the US Top 3 rock ballad, ‘My True Love’, whose full throttle rock’n’roll flipside, ‘Leroy’, also peaked just outside the US Top 10. When Scott left Carlton Records in 1959, after nine US hits in 18 months, ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

While writing Lucia di Lammermoor, Donizetti observed a common custom of the 1830s; tailoring his music to the voices of the original cast. For example, Fanny Tacchinardi-Persiani (1812–67), who created the role of Lucia, was technically brilliant and Donizetti’s writing reflected her outstanding abilities. Matching music to performers was a shrewd move: the formula increased the popularity of ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie
1 of 10 Pages     Next ›

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.