Practical Percussion

This encyclopedia inventories approximately 250 percussion instruments and effects, addressing new developments, particularly in the second half of the twentieth century, and consisting of instruments from all parts of the world. Entries are sometimes brief and sometimes more than a page and contain illustrations and range, if applicable. Other chapters are on the percussion in the orchestra, as soloist and in ensembles, composing and publishing percussion music, use in education, an alphabetical directory of manufacturers and suppliers, and information on the Percussive Arts Society. Half the book is a catalog of works and their instrumentation, listed alphabetically by composer. It includes a brief foreword by conductor and composer Pierre Boulez. There is no bibliography. Holland is an experienced percussionist who performs with the BBC Symphony. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

James Holland was co-principal percussionist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and principal percussionist with the London Symphony Orchestra for ten years before moving to the B.B.C. Symphony Orchestra. He was also solo percussionist with the London Sinfonietta for twenty-six years.