The Cambridge Companion to the Musical edited by William Everett and Paul Laird (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Accessible introduction to musical theatre, guiding readers through the history and development of the musical in America and England, from Broadway to London’s West End.
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Cole Porter by William McBrien (Vintage Books, 2000)
Well-regarded biography of the maverick songwriter and composer.
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The Encyclopedia of Orson Welles by Chuck Berg and Tom Erskine (Facts on File, 2003)
More than 300 entries cover all aspects of Welles' life and career, including all of his film projects, major performers in his films; key crew members; sources of inspiration; music and composers; and television, stage, and radio appearances.
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The Encyclopedia of Stage and Film Musicals edited by Colin Larkin (Virgin Books, 1999)
Reader-friendly guide to the major musical shows and films. Succinct entries include relevant information, from the actors’ names to lyricists and composers, focusing mainly on the West End and Broadway.
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A Heart at Fire's Center: The life and music of Bernard Herrmann by Steven C Smith (University of California Press, 2002)
Explores the interrelationships between Herrmann's music and his turbulent personal life, using much previously unpublished information to illustrate Herrmann's often outrageous behaviour, his working methods, and why his music has had such lasting impact.
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A History of Western Music by Donald J Grout and Claude V Palisca (W W Norton, 2001)
The chronological development of Western music, from Ancient Greece and Rome to the beginning of the 21st century.
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Leonard Bernstein: A Life by Meryle Secrest (Bloomsbury, 1997)
Considered to be the definitive biography, this well-researched book looks at Bernstein's professional and personal lives and how each informed the other.
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Leonard Bernstein – The last 10 years: A personal portrait by Thomas Seiler and August Everding (Edition Stemmle, 1999)
Leonard Bernstein invited photographer Thomas Seiler to act as his 'unofficial' photographer. The result is a visual account of the last 10 years of the composer's life, including reminiscences of friends and contemporaries.
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The Life and Times of Leonard Bernstein by Jim Whiting (Mitchell Lane Publishers, October 2004)
One of a series of classical composer biographies by esteemed journalist Whiting.
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Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter by Cole Porter
(Hal Leonard, 1981)
Music and lyrics for Porter’s best-loved classics.
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Musicals by Kurt Ganzl (Carlton Books, September 2004)
Updated version of Ganzl’s story of the development of musical theatre, incorporating recent musicals such as The Producers and The Full Monty, plus a look at other European contributions. Includes over 300 photographs.
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The Oxford ABC of Music by Imogen Holst (Oxford, 1963)
Presents all the musical terms and ideas likely to be met in the beginning stages of learning an instrument. It is a timeless classic that can be read by anyone – absolute beginners and those who wish to consolidate and extend what they already know.
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Revolution in the Head: The Beatles’ records and the sixties by Ian MacDonald (Pimlico, 1998)
Former NME (New Musical Express) editor offers an enlightened overview of The Beatles and their place in society. He weaves musical and lyrical analysis with psychological and historical insight.
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The War of the Worlds by H G Wells (Phoenix, February 2004)
Written in 1898, Wells portrays a classic vision of interplanetary warfare and a Martian invasion of Earth. When broadcast on the radio in 1938 by Orson Welles thousands of American listeners believed that Martians were really attacking Earth. In part this was due to the accompanying music written by Herrmann.
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