Review of David Cope, Techniques of the Contemporary Composer (Schirmer Books, 1997)

Abstract

Techniques of the Contemporary Composer represents at once
 an updating, an elaboration, and a pedagogically-oriented codification
 of material presented by David Cope in previous books such as New
 Directions in Music. It is a useful resource if only for the novelty
 of the large amount and variety of techniques and issues addressed in
 the space of a single text. Though a worthy addition to a contemporary
 music library, Techniques of the Contemporary Composer contains a
 number of serious flaws which prevent it from being a truly
 authoritative source. The most grievous is the fact that Cope composes
 his own musical examples rather than reprinting excerpts from other
 composers’ works. Though potentially useful in the study of
 composition and relevant disciplines such as notational/performance
 practice, it should not be adhered to as an authoritative classroom
 text. In addition, it should be supplemented generously with the
 original scores of the works whose techniques Cope addresses.