January 16, 2003 New Book About Stephen Sondheim's Music To Be Featured at 'Books & Beyond' Presentation on Feb. 11

Press Contact: Sheryl Cannady (202) 707-6456, scannady@loc.gov
Public Contact: (202) 707-5221

Mark Eden Horowitz, senior music specialist at the Library of Congress, will discuss his new book, "Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions" (Scarecrow Press, in association with the Library of Congress, 2003) at the Library of Congress at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Mary Pickford Theater, third floor, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C.

The program is part of the Center for the Book's "Books & Beyond" author series, which emphasizes new books based on Library of Congress collections and programs. It is sponsored by the center and the Library's Music Division and Publishing Office. The talk is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow. No tickets are required, but reservations are recommended. Please call 202-707-5221.

"Sondheim on Music" draws primarily on three days of conversations between Horowitz and composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim that were recorded at Sondheim's New York home in October 1997. The book is being widely praised. For example, musical theater historian Robert Kimball said: "In these remarkable dialogues, Mark Horowitz has elicited cogent, illuminating insights into the creative process from Stephen Sondheim, the ever-astonishing titan of the musical stage."

The volume includes a comprehensive listing of all of Sondheim's musical works-the most complete discography of Sondheim recordings to date-and publishing information for all of his songs and scores, including vocal ranges.

Mark Horowitz presented a highly successful Library of Congress/Smithsonian Associates lecture series during last year's Stephen Sondheim celebration in Washington, D.C. He has acted as archivist for the Library's unparalleled collections of the manuscripts and papers of musical theatre giants such as Leonard Bernstein, Vernon Duke, Jerome Kern, Frederick Loewe, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Vincent Youmans.

Prior to joining the Library's staff in 1991, Horowitz worked for Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage. He has written articles and reviews for the Kurt Weill Review and The Sondheim Review. He also taught the course "The American Musical on Stage and Screen" at Georgetown University.

The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to use the prestige and resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries. For information about its programs, publications, and the activities of its affiliated state centers and national reading promotion partners, visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/cfbook.

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PR 03-005
2003-01-16
ISSN 0731-3527