Virgil Thomson

?Compilations like this one, which both list compositions and summarize secondary literature, are much needed, since the volume of writings about composers have become so large it is difficult to keep pace with.... Meckna lists 288 citations alphabetically by author in one chapter, with one- or two-sentence annotations in most cases. Hundreds of other citations are found in the Works and Performances' chapter, clustered with the pieces they discuss. The list of compositions include instrumentation, duration, publication, and premiere information. Thomson's own writing, as a scholar and critic, is given a full bibliographic inventory. There is a discography of all commercial recordings, whether or not currently in print. Compositions are listed by date and by title, and there is a general index. A thorough and impressive study of a significant American artist, recommended for all academic libraries.?-Choice