"Composers at Work justly deserves to be called remarkable, not only because its deductive and intellectual achievements are so very great, but also because it opens a field of research that will be unknown to many readers. Thanks to Owens''s painstaking and brilliant evaluation of the evidence, we possess a clearer understanding of the processes by which [Renaissance] composers built their pieces, section by section and layer by layer. As a studyof technical procedure, [this book] is a triumph, and it must be required reading for anyone with an interest in Renaissance polyphony."--John Milsom, Notes"With Owens''s book scholars and students at last have a study concerned with the creative processes of European composers active at a time of both profound stylistic change and remarkable transformations in the manner, material, and uses of written texts.[Owens] provides a profound new understanding of how Renaissance composers understood their art."--Choice"This is a stunning piece of work which will alter the landscape of Renaissance musicology in very important ways."--Lawrence Bernstein, University of Pennsylvania"One of the most important studies in Renaissance musicology in many years. A landmark.

"--Lewis Lockwood, Harvard University"A thoughtful and multi-faceted approach to a problem that has long been a matter of speculation. The astonishing and most original contribution of her study is that no evidence has come to light that accomplished composers used scores for composing. This book will awaken new interest in Renaissance composition and should interest all students of Renaissance music."--Bonnie J. Blackburn, Wolfson College, Oxford".her style is so lucid that the interested lay reader will have no trouble following the discussion. The book is copiously illustrated with musical examples and facsimiles.Owens''s findings pose interesting challenges for thoughtful performers of the music of the period.

"--American Recorder"This excellent book is important not only for its general theory but for its illumination of the everyday."--Times Literary Supplement"Composers at Work justly deserves to be called remarkable, not only because its deductive and intellectual achievements are so very great, but also because it opens a field of research that will be unknown to many readers. Thanks to Owens''s painstaking and brilliant evaluation of the evidence, we possess a clearer understanding of the processes by which [Renaissance] composers built their pieces, section by section and layer by layer. As a studyof technical procedure, [this book] is a triumph, and it must be required reading for anyone with an interest in Renaissance polyphony."--John Milsom, Notes"With Owens''s book scholars and students at last have a study concerned with the creative processes of European composers active at a time of both profound stylistic change and remarkable transformations in the manner, material, and uses of written texts.[Owens] provides a profound new understanding of how Renaissance composers understood their art."--Choice"Wherever the study of this material leads from here, though, this book, in setting out the problem and beginning to address it, is the essential point of departure. Rich in its contents, then, Composers at Work is richer still in its implications for future research.

" --Journal of the American Musicological Society"This is a stunning piece of work which will alter the landscape of Renaissance musicology in very important ways."--Lawrence Bernstein, University of Pennsylvania"One of the most important studies in Renaissance musicology in many years. A landmark."--Lewis Lockwood, Harvard University"A thoughtful and multi-faceted approach to a problem that has long been a matter of speculation. The astonishing and most original contribution of her study is that no evidence has come to light that accomplished composers used scores for composing. This book will awaken new interest in Renaissance composition and should interest all students of Renaissance music."--Bonnie J. Blackburn, Wolfson College, Oxford"This is an extremely important book, beautifully executed, and will stand as the study in the field of Renaissance composition for many years to come.

It synthesizes all previous work in the area and contributes a vast amount of new material and new interpretations."--M. Jennifer Bloxam, Williams College"Composers at Work justly deserves to be called remarkable, not only because its deductive and intellectual achievements are so very great, but also because it opens a field of research that will be unknown to many readers.beautifully produced."--Notes.