Interpretation in Song

This last one is a really a classic of the singing world. It was written in 1912 and for the next 70 odd years it was absolutely required reading for any singer. And no other book has ever got anywhere near to being as good as this one. He says: “Interpretation is essentially individual, individuality is a singer’s greatest asset.” People have forgotten that particular point of view. Since the record player and the CD have become available, singers have tended to listen too much to other singers, and, in the process, lose their individuality. In my view, this book really ought to be revived, and every singer read it very, very thoroughly. What he says is absolute gold dust. It’s very easy to think that singing is just about singing; but it’s not. The essence of singing is paying a great deal of attention to the tiny detail; and that’s what this book has to offer.