Review by Choice Review
This dictionary is riddled with half-truths and conceptual errors. Definitions rarely provide a meaningful context for the term being defined, and musical "illustrations" are poorly chosen and often more confusing than illuminating. The entire volume is musically unidiomatic, perhaps because the compiler is a former accountant and financial consultant, not a professional musician. Musical examples are much too large, giving the volume the appearance of a children's music book. The dictionary as a whole is poorly arranged. For instance, each type of cadence receives a separate entry, but the definitions of "perfect" and "deceptive" cadences appear under the term "cadence" as well as in their own entries. One wonders why McFarland, a respectable press, has published such an ill-conceived dictionary, especially when D.M. Randel's New Harvard Dictionary of Music (CH, Jan'87) is superior in every way: more accurate, broader in scope, musically literate, and less expensive. Hardly a "handy and valuable reference for students and experienced musicians alike" (p. ix), this volume is a disservice to musicians at all levels of expertise. -J. Tsou, University of California, Berkeley
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Creating an authoritative dictionary of music is a formidable task. One need only consult The New Harvard Dictionary of Music ( LJ 4/15/87) or The New Everyman Dictionary of Music ( LJ 7/89) to appreciate the impeccable scholarship required. Although Thomsett's work may be useful for general illustrations (music examples), his entries on music theory are at times confusing and often incorrect. The polyglot instrument guide may also find limited use, but as a reliable music dictionary, this work simply does not cut the mustard. Not recommended.-- William J. Waters, Pensacola Jr. Coll., Fla. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Library Journal Review