Reply To: Film music books
As a youngster I pretty much wore out the school library copy of the late Roy Prendergast’s “Film Music: A Neglected Art”. As I understand it, it was the only comprehensive book on film music for many years after its publication (1977). I have a lot of great memories marveling at the details in the craft of the Golden Age masters, as presented by Prendergast. It has been too many years since I last opened the book. Perhaps it is finally time to order my own copy!
The book I actually own myself is not one I could recommend, although I’d be happy to hear from someone who might have found the book useful? Only in Norwegian, the book approaches the subject of film music from a strictly theoretical perspective. It felt awkward and artificial, and the author’s limited experience with the actual “mechanics” of making music, as it seemed to me at least, made the book unrealistic. However, the publisher claims the book is “internationally recognized”, so it might be me there’s something wrong with. Open for the possibility!