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The Rest Is Noise

Listening to the 20th Century

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The Rest Is Noise

By: Alex Ross
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Summary

 The Rest Is Noise takes the listener inside the labyrinth of modern music, from turn-of-the-century Vienna to downtown New York in the '60s and '70s. We meet the maverick personalities and follow the rise of mass culture on this sweeping tour of 20th-century history through its music.

Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, is the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including two ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards for music criticism. In addition, he was named a 2008 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, given for achievements in creativity and potential for making important future cultural contributions.

©2007 Alex Ross (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Art Music World Entertainment Imperialism Middle Ages Opera Socialism
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Critic reviews

  • National Book Critics Circle Award, Criticism, 2007
All stars
Most relevant
This book is extremely well researched and delivered.

However, those looking for a broad study on 20th century music should note that this book focuses on classical music. Other forms are touched on (particularly jazz) but the vast majority is a study of classical music. I didn't get that from the reviews I read and was expecting more on blues, soul, reggae and hip-hop.

That's not to fault the book. It broadened by horizons and was a fascinating read but if you are looking for a wider study you may have to look elsewhere.

Excellent but classically focused book

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The greatest complement I can pay to this title is it made me want to go and listen to the classical music of the twentieth century. The story is clearly told and well structured, taking the listener from R Strauss' Salome to modern minialism and beyond. It certainly helped my appreciation of some very difficult pieces as well as helping to point out the seminal works. I could quibble that some composers such as Elgar and Rachmaninov bearly get a look in because, although they are popular, they don't fit the mainstream of modernism. Also if every there was an audiobook that cried out for musical samples, this was it. But I would recommend it to anyone wanting to gain an understanding of what has happen to composition in the last 100 years.

Modern classical music made more accessable

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What made the experience of listening to The Rest Is Noise the most enjoyable?

As a musician who has mostly performed 20th Century music - Contemporary Classical, for my career, this book gave some interesting insight, really rounding out the history that I had learned while studying back at school/uni, and while performing.

What did you like best about this story?

I really loved hearing the context of where composers were in their life, geographically, politically, philosophically, psychologically, when they wrote particular pieces. Especially the effect that Hitler and other Political leaders had on these artists trying to live their lives.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

The narration was ok, not one I would have written home about. Engaging enough.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really an emotional story! Though actually, knowing the context of Benjamin Britten's writing, and the challenges composers faced in trying to balance authorities opinions with their own artistic integrity, was really interesting. Also amusing to hear composers funny little opinions of each other.

Any additional comments?

Such a pity that they couldn't have spent some time/money getting the rights to some musical excerpts. I knew what the author was talking about a lot of the time, but only because I've performed and listened to a lot of classical music. Excerpts giving examples of what he was talking about would make this book much more accessible to music lovers who don't necessarily study or perform. And would have refreshed my memory a little. In this format, it seems crazy that they didn't consider these audio illustrations.

Adding colour and context to 20thC Compositions

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A tremendous survey af the past century’s music- only hampered by my needing to stop every few minutes to add pieces to a Spotify soundtrack, which i’d listen to before the next chapter.
I hope 21st-century music education finds room for some of its discussion, and popular screen culture celebrates some of its sounds.

Fascinating

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Good book and well narrated. It provides a comprehensive view of 20th Century music.

Highly Recommended

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