New Periodicals

This column lists newly issued periodicals; describes their objectives, formats, and contents; and provides information about special issues, title and format changes, mergers, and cessations.

International Record Review. Edited by Harriet Smith. Monthly. September 2000. Subscription: International Record Review Limited, 1 Haven Green, Ealing, London W5 2UU, Great Britain or subscriptions@recordreview.co.uk. $80/yr (USA and Canada), £35/yr (UK), £65/yr (Europe), £75/yr (rest of the world). ISSN 1468-5027.

This classical record review magazine, launched in March 2000 by former Gramophone staff, is impressive. The magazine opens with a comprehensive index to reviews contained within, and a listing by record company of the previous month's releases. The reviews follow a couple of in-depth articles and a directory of record company Web sites. The reviews provide detailed contents notes, listing works, performers, and recording dates. Information on whether or not the release is new or a reissue is stated at the beginning of the review. Reviews vary in writing quality but are thorough. A brief section of book reviews and some audio news and equipment reviews close out the publication. Further information, including biographies of reviewers, can be found at their Web site: www.recordreview.co.uk (accessed 22 April 2001).

Jazz Improv. Edited by Eric and Jennifer Nemeyer. Quarterly. Vol. 2, no. 4 (2000). Subscription: E.S. Proteus, Inc., P.O. Box 57, Grafton, Vermont 05146-0057 or http://www.jazzimprov.com. $39.95/yr (United States), $59.95/yr (Canada), $89.95/yr (outside of North America). ISSN 1080-3572.

This substantial publication was first issued in late 1997 and claims as its mission to "support the growth and perpetuation of America's Original Classic Art Form--jazz." The volume reviewed was 240 pages in length. Issued with companion compact discs, the publication contains interviews and profiles, short articles, practice exercises, transcribed solos, and reviews of books, videos, software, and recordings. The interviews are numerous and lengthy. There are also advertisements and a helpful index to the advertisers. Contents of back issues and the opportunity to order those issues are found at their Web site: www.jazzimprov.com (accessed 22 April 2001).

Journal of Music in China. Edited by Qinru Zhou. Biannual. Vol. 2, no. 2 (October 2000). Subscription: Music in China, Inc., P.O. Box 251737, Los Angeles, CA 90025-9126. Institutions: $70/yr, Individuals: $40/yr, Students: $30/yr. ISSN 1092-1710.

The aim of this journal is "to connect Chinese music scholarship with the outside world by breaking down the language barrier." Original articles submitted to the publisher are peer-reviewed. Most articles are heavily footnoted and appear with diagrams, photographs, and musical incipits as necessary. Articles appear on a variety of topics and include such titles as "Fundamental Theories of Chinese Traditional Music in Ancient Writings," "The New Music of Chen Yi," and "Spiralling Chinese Cyclic Theory and Modal Jazz Practice across Millenia: Proposed Sources and New Perceptions for John Coltrane's Late Musical Conceptions." A full list of contents may be found at their Web site: www.musicinchina.org (accessed 22 April 2001).

Manchester Sounds. The Manchester Musical Heritage Trust. Edited by David Fallows and Rosemary Williamson. Vol. 1 (2000). Subscription: John Turner, 40, Parsonage Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4JR, Great Britian. £5/yr. ISSN 1471-3659.

This handsomely produced publication is an outgrowth of the Manchester Musical Heritage Trust, an organization developed to focus on activities meant to protect Manchester's musical heritage. The journal includes heavily footnoted, scholarly articles complete with diagrams and photographs when appropriate. Articles are of interest to a broader audience than the regional nature of the Trust would indicate. For instance, Jon Baxendale's article, entitled "Anne Dawson's Keyboard Book: A Neglected Source in the Henry Watson Music Library," is about a book of keyboard music dated around 1716 that provides a great deal of information regarding the history of musical perceptions of the early eighteenth century in general. The publication also includes a very select group of in-depth book reviews.

The Pendragon Review...