MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE MUSIC

A long list of music popularizations by Mr. Ewen indicate a ready market for his latest which consists of 26 thumbnail biographies and critiques of leading contemporary concert artists and conductors. While none of the material is particularly new, it is not readily accessible in compact form, and is handled competently and unostentatiously. The musically sophisticated will feel that there's too much fanfare and uncritical adoration which sounds a bit like a radio announcer. Nevertheless, for the average untrained listener, it should prove good basic library and school reference material. Helfetz, Schnabel, Toscanini, Lohmann and many others are familiar names, but the average listener knows little of their personal histories.