Although recognized as one of the greatest French composers of the twentieth century, Albert Roussel (1869-1937) has been frequently overlooked in recent years. However, the publication of this bibliography coincides with a renewed interest, especially in Roussel's native land, in recording his compositions. While the majority of English-language works on Roussel have concentrated on the details of his life or attempted to define and analyze his compositional style, this first annotated bibliography and discography focuses on his opus and provides copious information about specific works, performances, recordings, and reviews.
Born in Tourcoing, France, Roussel received recognition for his compositions as early as 1897. His productivity soared during the 1920s, when his work was influenced by Impressionism, and his neo-classical compositions of the 1930s achieved national recognition. The work commences with a biography, and then presents a listing voice, and includes a directory of publishers. A discography, broken into similar divisions, follows. The annotated bibliography covers books and articles about Roussel, program notes, and writings by the composer. Two appendices provide an index to first lines and a chronological list of compositions. An index of personal and corporate names completes the reference. This bibliography will be an important addition to university libraries and music departments.
Reviews
Roussel, `one of the greatest French composers of this century,' has been also one of the most neglected. Follett, a music librarian at the University of North Texas, has produced a work supportive of renewed interest in Roussel's works. The first major work in English since Basil Deane's critical biography, Albert Roussel (1961), this volume includes a brief biography, a list of works and performances classified by genre, a discography of commercially available recordings, and a selective annotated bibliography of nearly 400 writings by and about the composer. Cross-references lead the user from the works to the bibliography and discography and vice versa. Two appendixes include the first lines of the texts of vocal music and a listing in chronological order of compositions. The volume concludes with a complete index of names and works titles. Well bound and clearly printed, as are other volumes in this valuable series, this work is recommended for upper-division undergraduate and graduate music collections.—Choice
The author has succeeded in bringing together many facts and resources on Roussel's works as well as his life, providing the reader with a significant amount of information. The guide is easy to use, and the references between the various parts of the book make the contents even more accessible.—ARBA
