The Guardian First Book Award has gone to Alex Ross' acclaimed history of 20th century music The Rest Is Noise. Claire Armitstead, Guardian literary editor and chair of judges points out that although the book was not seen as having popular appeal in some quarters :
... a huge appetite among readers for clear, serious but accessible books.I think the book will go down very well in Malaysia - especially with the sorts who frequent the Dewan Philharmonic and would like to know more about the music they listen too. (Haven't been to a concert so long - hope to do better this season.)
I got my copy (still hardback) in Kinokuniya the other day and I plan to read it and at the same time revisit many of the CD's I've hoarded over the years. There is though an excellent audio guide to the book on Ross' blog so that you can actually hear the examples he's talking about.
(I lifted the pic of trays of hors d'oevres at the award cermemony from his blog too.)
