Two editions: the FIRST Edition (6" X 9," B/W in paperback only); now also for 2016, the SECOND Edition (8-1/2" X 11," in hardcover and full color), featuring a new text, layout and cover. The Second Edition is available, too, in softcover B/W (to view, click on: "See all 3 formats and editions ... > Paperback ... V: Paperback, December 14, 2105"). In "Charles Ives and his Road to the Stars," Antony Cooke brings a fresh new approach to the music of America's iconic composer in this accessible account of what lay behind the music of this modern titan. It has been over a quarter of a century since the period of destructive revisionism impacted his ascending star, leading to the much-touted "reassessment" of his contributions. With a comprehensive approach and detailed examination of a broad cross section of the music itself, the real Ives is revealed, the many myths, misconceptions, faulty impressions, and incorrect conclusions at long last stripped away. With clear indications that Ives encoded into his music a spiritual link to the cosmos, the special destination and purpose leading to his legendary and almost tragically mythic Universe Symphony finally become clear, this focal work receiving an in-depth examination. If all too often the composer has been kept from the broader public by an elitism that Ives would have abhorred, or by many tangled biographic analyses that reveal more about the writers than they do about Ives. Cooke steers the reader toward a clear understanding of this iconic figure-an American treasure, one whose music and life brings vividly to mind the almost forgotten time of the golden age of America's emergence as a dominant presence with a cultural identity finally separated from the Old World across the Atlantic. Linked to a broad cross section of his music, the reader is guided through Ives's unique musical language, and what lay behind it. Exposing the many myths, untruths, misconceptions, faulty impressions, and incorrect conclusions along the way, Ives is treated with a respect earned, but often denied.
About the Author: Antony Cooke, a protégé of the legendary pedagogue Helen Just, established an early career as a solo cellist, receiving artist diplomas from both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London, studied theory and historical musicology under John Wilkinson, composition under Nadia Boulanger protégé John Lambert, and conducting under Sir Colin Davis. Gold medalist at the London Music Competition in 1966, he also received the prestigious "Young Musicians '73 Award" in London, and appeared as a BBC concerto soloist and recitalis. Cooke has concertized extensively throughout Europe and USA, recorded many solo and cello/piano CD's and LP's under the Centaur, PROdigital, and Golden Crest labels. In 1971 he became England's youngest principal cellist (London Mozart Players, under Harry Blech), then England's premier chamber orchestra, performing regularly with the ensemble as concerto soloist; during this time he also toured Israel with The London Symphony Orchestra. At the age of twenty-six Cooke was appointed as assistant professor of cello at the University of South Florida, subsequently, becoming associate professor of cello in the School of Music at Northwestern University in Chicago-a position he held until 1984, when he relocated to Southern California. In Los Angeles he established himself as one of the luminaries in the Hollywood recording industry, having participated in approximately 1500 movie soundtracks, countless television and record productions, and has composed music for prime time television. His compositions have been published by Kendor, Studio PR, Kjos Music, and CPP Bellwin, Inc. As a founding member of the Charles Ives Trio, Cooke is dedicated to the advancement of Ives's music and related works. An informal, though intensive background in astronomy also has long accompanied his music; as author of five books on the subject, including the acclaimed Astronomy and the Climate Crisis, Cooke's astronomical titles are published by the second largest science publisher in the world, Springer.