Books by Arnold Whittall

Showcases the energy and diversity of the young field of music semiology, appealing to readers who want to explore the meaning of music in our lives.

Serialism, one of the most prominent innovations in music since 1900, is a key topic in music studies for both undergraduate and graduate students. From Schoenberg to Stockhausen, Berg to Boulez, this introduction tells the story of how serialism emerged, and explains serial compositional techniques in a clear, non-technical way.

In this classic study of Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett, Arnold Whittall builds a unique double portrait of the two leading composers of their generation. This revised edition includes a new chapter on Tippett's major works of the 1980s, new information on the Britten repertoire and an updated bibliography.