12/04/2008
Alex Ross Wins Guardian Book Award for The Rest is Noise
New Yorker music critic Alex Ross won this year's Guardian first book award for his history of 20th century music The Rest is Noise
"The chair of the judging panel, Guardian literary editor Claire Armitstead, said: 'In some quarters this book has been seen as not having a popular appeal. Our prize – which, uniquely, relies on readers' groups in the early stages of judging – proves that, on the contrary, there is a huge appetite among readers for clear, serious but accessible books.' According to one judge: 'Where Ross lifts his book above the 'expert' and impressive to the 'good read' category is in the way he wears his learning lightly, never clutches for false or contrived ways of explaining music, and never dumbs down in order to explain.'"
Ross was one of this year's Out 100 honorees. He also writes a blog with the same title as his book.
The Rest is Noise
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Yay for books coverage! I haven't read this book myself, but several musical friends of mine have and really like it. I always respect any writer who can make science accessible.
Posted by: Donny B | Dec 4, 2008 1:41:43 PM
Great for Alex, great for gay people.
Posted by: Bill | Dec 4, 2008 1:49:01 PM
I was bummed when I read the book because I didn't really like it. The problem is, I'm a huge fan of classical music and opera and it was simply too general for me. Plus, he totally loses the plot with stuff since ca. 1970--he's a big fan of minimalism and is sort of hostile to European modernism, so there's a big hole in the last part of the book. John Adams the best composer of the last 40 years? Hahahahahahaha. NO.
Oh well, congratulations to him, he's much cuter than that picture would indicate and I'm glad he's out, too.
Posted by: HenryHolland | Dec 4, 2008 2:19:49 PM
I think that picture was taken in the elevator of the Seagram Building.
Posted by: Jeff | Dec 5, 2008 8:53:26 AM
I loved the book and I'm delighted that it won the Guardian prize. Granted it appeals to a specific interest of mine, but even someone without much knowledge of modern music could enjoy it -- it's well-written, insightful, and has lots of interesting anecdotes about the composers and musicians he's examining. You don't have to agree with his aesthetic judgements (I do often, but not always) to learn from it.
And, yeah, he's very cute.
Posted by: Rob Lll | Dec 5, 2008 11:52:47 AM