radio

Pegoletti's wonderfully researched book makes one long, not only for the days when a single figure, such as Deems Taylor, could explain all of contemporary music to a mass audience, but also for Taylor's own orchestral and vocal works which are so hard to find nowadays! Taylor may not have been much good for the women in his life, but he knew how to tell a story and how to build a career. Did he have what it takes to capture the interest of posterity? Time will make these decisions for him, but how i wish an enterprising record company would release at least the radio checks of his operas! Thank you, Mr. Pegoletti, for giving him one more shot.

Who was Deems Taylor?
A member of the Algonquin Roundtable, one of Dorothy Parker's many lovers, the co-author of an opera with Edna St. Vincent Millay, a collaborator with Leopold Stowkowski for Walt Disney's "Fantasia." He was also a commentator for CBS radio on its first day on the air; the president of ASCAP; a long-time commentator on radio concerts; and a close friend of the great musicians, artists, authors and wits of the last century, including: George Gershwin, Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

In his biography, James Pegolotti weaves well the tapestry of events of this wonderful time for concert music and the theatre in New York.

A must-read for theater buffs and others who enjoy recent Americana.

The research on this book was very extensive. The subject matter was very interesting. There was always a new and fascinating aspect of Deems Taylor's life to learn about. Well written, historic, completely researched and a most enjoyable read.