From Library Journal
Goodman, a journalist at Long Island Newsday, has written a welcome profile of American composer/conductor Gould (1913-96) that includes interviews with Gould, Gould's family and colleagues, and excerpts from the musician's recorded diaries. (Two earlier attempts at biography were abandoned, and the only other extended documentation on Gould appears to be in unpublished theses.) Weaving together analyses of compositions with (some unnecessarily vulgar) quotes evidencing Gould's family dynamics and self-effacing manner, Goodman traces Gould's artistic and personal development in minute detail, from his years as a radio pianist and bandleader in New York through his presidency of ASCAP to his winning the Pulitzer Prize for the composition "Stringmusic" in 1995. The misconception of Gould as merely a purveyor of light classicsDwhich Goodman succeeds in dispelling contributed to his resentment of and resulting depression over the recognition accorded more charismatic contemporaries such as Leonard Bernstein. Goodman's thoroughly researched volume is recommended for academic and public music collections to fill a gap in 20th-century American music scholarship. Barry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Morton Gould (1913–1996) was a dominant force in American music throughout most of the 20th century. A child prodigy whose first composition was “Just Six” (his age at the time), he was still composing in the 1990s, including several pieces for President Clinton to play on his saxophone. This versatile composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist worked in vaudeville and on radio, from Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, all the while churning out jingles, symphonies, and everything in between. Gould was phenomenally talented; he worked tirelessly to bring great music to wide audiences, which he did with more than 100 best-selling records. The very excess of his gifts, however, may have been the reason that he felt his life to be a failure. He remained subject to profound depressions, which he managed to conceal from the many colleagues who found him always generous and thoughtful. His marriages, like his relationship with his domineering father, were ties of love and hate t! hat caused years of emotional pain. Peter Goodman began working with Gould on Morton Gould: American Salute more than a year before Gould’s death. He spent many hours interviewing Gould as well as his family, friends, and colleagues. Upon Gould’s death, his family allowed Goodman access to his files, diaries, records, and tapes. The result is a full, detailed, and well-rounded story.
