Composer Genealogies

Throughout the western classical tradition, composers have influenced and been influenced by their students and teachers. Many musicians frequently add to their personal acclaim by naming their teachers and the lineage through which they were taught. Until now, the relationships between composers have remained uncataloged and understudied, but with enough research, it is possible to document entire schools of composition. Composer Genealogies: A Compendium of Composers, Their Teachers, and Their Students is the first volume to gather the genealogies of more than seventeen thousand classical composers in a single volume.
Functioning as its own fully cross-referenced index, this volume lists composers and their dates, followed by their teachers and notable students. A short introduction presents the parameters by which composers were selected and provides a survey of the literature available for further study. Gathering records and information from reference books, university websites, obituaries, articles, composers' websites, and even direct contact with some composers, Pfitzinger creates a valuable resource for music researchers, composers, and performers.

Scott Pfitzinger holds an MM in music composition from Butler University, an MLS in library science from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. (ABD) in education from Capella University. He is a composer and educator himself and currently serves as the access services librarian at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.