A SMATTERING OF IGNORANCE

by Oscar Levant ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 12, 1939

The musical wit and wizard of Information Please chats about the musical world of America today, and makes it very delightful reading. It is unimportant; however, there is no pretense of producing a definitive book on music and musicians today, though in telling bits and pieces about composers, conductors, orchestras and so forth, he evaluates here and there and does so incisively. In five parts: the big time conductors of today, Toscanini, Stokowski, Walter, etc. Conductor-orchestra strained relations. Harpo Marx and Hollywood; composing for Hollywood; orchestrating, studying. There is one whole section devoted to Gershwin, whom he knew well; the final section deals with the younger moderns, led by Copland. It is as much people as music, and there's a great deal of lively small story stuff. And there is Mr. Levant himself, with the bright retort, for everyone and everything. Good entertainment.

Pub Date: Jan. 12, 1939

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday, Doran

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1939

Categories: NONFICTION