For many years, James Blades's famous book has been referred to as the percussionist's bible. It is established as the definitive reference work on the subject. Last updated by the author in 2005 and now back in print, this extended edition includes two additional chapters. The first covers the rise of the solo percussionist by the world's leading practitioner, Dame Evelyn Glennie who also contributes a new Foreword, while recent developments in orchestral percussion are covered by Neil Percy, Head of Timpani and Percussion at the Royal Academy of Music and Principal Percussionist of the London Symphony Orchestra.
“This extraordinary scholarly publication has been the "get to" source for many of us over the years and, for me personally, still remains as a vital tool for my exploration of percussion.' Dame Evelyn Glennie ”
“Mr Blades has managed to work in a truly encyclopedic number of allusions to this or that effect, this and that composer, work and trick ....' 'Mr Blades, the scholar, yields partial place to Mr Blades the performer for an enormous and exemplary chapter o ”
Forthcoming