|
|
“Denis Stevens was one of the most respected musicologists who did more than anyone to revive the importance of Monteverdi. His intelligence and skills as a linguist enabled him not only to translate Monteverdi's letters and texts of the madrigals, but also to study manuscripts which gave him an advantage over others in his field, not least when ill informed pseudo-musicologists made groundless claims for the instrumentation needed to perform such works as the Vespers. As a producer in the BBC he introduced listeners for the first time to the world of composers such as Dufay, Fayrfax and Tallis, using performers like Alfred Deller and the Ambrosian Singers, directed by himself. Refreshingly, being an expert in the field of early music did not preclude Denis from knowing and loving many other kinds of music and he was, for example, a devotee of Delius. Being a linguist and musicologist with a fund of knowledge on any amount of topics made Denis the most charming, stimulating, and generous companion, and I feel greatly privileged to have known him.” Sir Nicholas Jackson.
As the name “Fragmenta” suggests, this Autobiographica recounts episodes from Denis Stevens' life and career, clearly selected on the twin criteria of historical importance and humour. Yet this is by no means one person's story, for Denis knew so many significant musicians of his time, about whom he writes briefly yet with insight. A look at the Contents reveals the book's breadth of coverage. It is informative, revealing, historically significant, yet always entertaining.
founded by Denis Stevens, and now continued by his daughter Daphne Stevens-Pascucci. History, informtion, events, CDs etc., links to recordings and literature.
Denis Stevens
Several recordings produced by Denis Stevens
|
