Deep River

Overview

A rich and in-depth biography of the complex man behind the American choral tradition

A painstaking effort more than 10 years in the making, this is the definitive biography of Robert Shaw, the father of American choral music. Shaw stands alongside key figures who created a culture of classical music in the United States, such as Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin, and his work is well-known among today's thousands of choral conductors. Shaw received 14 Grammy Awards, the first Guggenheim Fellowship ever awarded to a conductor, and four ASCAP Awards for service to contemporary music, as well as many other distinguished awards and recognitions. With numerous black-and-white photos, this essential work brings to light all aspects of the life and accomplishments of an American classical music icon. A DVD is included that contains 4.5 hours of rare footage of Robert Shaw in rehearsal at Boston University.

Reviews

“An extraordinary document . . . the significance of this book cannot be overstated.”  —Dr. Pam Elrod, director of choral studies, Southern Methodist University

Author Biography

Keith C. Burris is editorial page editor of the Journal Inquirer in Manchester, Connecticut. He lives in Vernon, Connecticut.