Book of Musical Anecdotes
The appearance of this collection inspires comparisons with Ethan Mordden's recent Opera Anecdotes ( LJ 9/15/85). Like Mordden, Lebrecht arranges his stories chronologically and provides a name and composition index. Unlike Mordden, Lebrecht gives the sources for the original quotes, implying that the stories indeed are genuine. There are also biographical footnotes throughout. Either title would be a worthy (if not necessarily essential) purchase for most music collections, Lebrecht having a slight edge. Bryan C. Stoneburner, Univ. of Hawaii Lib., HonoluluCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.