American Muse: The Life and Times of William Schuman. By Joseph W. Polisi. * Orpheus in Manhattan: William Schuman and the Shaping of America's Musical Life. By Stephen Swayne. * The Music of William Schuman, Vincent Persichetti, and Peter Mennin: Voices of Stone and Steel. By Walter Simmons.

For William Schuman to acquire two well-researched biographies and a major portion of a further book within three years is a considerable step forward in the documentation of both him and his work. His position can be compared to that of Samuel Barber. In some respects it puts him ahead of his frien... View More