Landscapes of the Mind: The Music of John McCabe

Book excerpt: Liverpool-born composer and pianist, John McCabe, established himself as one of Britain's most recorded contemporary composers as well as a celebrated performer and recording artist. This book covers every aspect of his compositions and will help guide both general and specialist listeners and performers through the so-called landscapes of the mind that his music evokes. The title was suggested by McCabe himself and his composing and performing life took him on journeys all over the world through a variety of landscapes, many of which are to be found in essence in his music. The detailed discography will help readers to find recordings of many of the works described in the series of articles written by a collection of experienced critics, performers, broadcasters and reviewers, and the copious illustrations and full pages of musical score provide a variety of insights into McCabe's life and work.