Wednesday, March 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
"Song: A Guide to Style and Literature," written by Dr. Carol Kimball, professor of music and a Barrick Scholar at UNLV, has just been published by Pst/Publishing Inc. in Seattle.
Kimball notes that there were very fine books on the art of song for French, German, Spanish, British and American song, but there was no general book that pulled together a basic repertoire of song literature to present to students and concert-goers.
Her book is being used at Indiana University this semester in their undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs. It is also being used at Ohio State University, Wichita State University, the University of Wisconsin, Utah State University, Rice University and Rutgers University.
Kimball worked 4 1/2 years researching and writing the work. The hardest task, she says, was making choices of the most representative body of songs.
Her publisher Robert Caldwell praised "Song: A Guide to Style and Literature" as a "thorough discussion of song literature from all the main composers from around the world with strong cross reference indices, composer biographical material, and four chapters on song style and interpretation."
Many experts in the field agree that Kimball's book fills a gap. "Finally, a book on song literature and style that is complete, savvy and useful," Thomas Grubb of the New York City Opera and the Juilliard School said.
"I love song literature and have been studying it in earnest for more than 30 years," said Kimball.
She is the editor of the Opera Journal of the National Opera Association and past recorded music reviewer for the Journal of Singing.
A specialist in French repertoire, Kimball has studied and coached with Pierre Bernac, Gerard Souzay, Martial Singher and Thomas Grubb. Her recital of French melodies for Orion Records with pianist Thomas Grubb is a staple recording in many college and university libraries.
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