This lively and highly informative contribution to the Menuhin Music Guides covers all aspects of percussion – the instruments, the percussion section within the orchestra and the use of percussion in chamber music and as a solo instrument.

A lively and highly informative contribution to a distinguished series, which covers timpani, general percussion instruments, keyboard percussion, stands and accessories, as well as the percussion section within the orchestra, and the use of percussion instruments in chamber music and as a solo instrument. An immensely comprehensive central section, which is copiously illustrated, lists, describes and discusses the uses of dozens of instruments from Anvils to Waterphones. The sheer wealth of useful information it contains will be of value to the experienced musician as well as the general reader. James Holland is not afraid to attack composers, conductors and music publishers as he puts the percussionist’s point of view. Among his comments on how to interpret a percussion score and lay out and play a vast array of complex instruments are detailed analyses of Walton’s Façade and works by Gerhard and Stockhausen.