This book is the most valuable study of Alban Berg's music available in English language. Each chapter in this book is written by an eminent scholar/musicologist from Austria, Canada or US. The book is the most in-depth study of this underrated member of the second Viennese School. The four parts of this volume address four aspects relating to the ability of Berg's music to speak without words. The essays in part 1 deal with biographical issues that may have made such expressive choices particularly attractive to the composer. Part 2 explores various ways in which compositions not involving explicit verbal texts create signification, allusion, and reference, both to persons of importance in the composer's life and to literary works. Part 3 is dedicated to Berg's song cycles, and Part 4 examines Berg's operas. Many musical examples accompany the written text, and informative annotations conclude each chapter. The book is useful both to professionals and average listeners who want to better understand the beautiful music of this composer. There are two other similar studies of 20th century composers that can compare to this volume and they are Olivier Messiaen by Samuel and Henri Dutilleux by Caroline Potter.

If you are, like me, a huge fan of the William Butler Yeats then you will find yourself slowly accumulating the 'Collected Works' volume by volume and not concern yourself with the cost. You will probably start with this volume, enjoy reading every poem written and feel this is an excellent volume.

If, however, you are looking for a volume to study Yeats or enjoy the best of his verse you may be better served by 'The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats" or "The Yeats Reader: A Portable Compendium of Poetry, Drama and Prose", both edited by Richard J. Finneran and less expensive, more portable paperbacks.

This is a must have book for any Yeats lover, or some one studying William Butler Yeats for a school report or such. The Book has almost everything you can possibley want, tuns of poems. Although I found Volume 4 of the collected Yeats poems the best, because its short, but full, warm and inviting, and has 4 plays. (but i can't find it on amazon to review)

W.B. Yeats is one of the greatest poets of the English language. If you're not sure why, then get this book and find out. It is a staple of any poetry library.