I have enjoyed this book very much. It offers a very interesting psychological perspective on opera whose stories one may just take for granted. The analyses include selected operas from Monteverdi up to the twentieth century composers. Particular emphasis is placed upon Wagner's work, and most of all on "Der Ring des Nibelungen", with the list of the most important leitmotives and the concepts they allegedly represent added in an Appendix to the book. So, if you think you may be interested in a short analysis of "Lohengrin" from Elsa's perspective, or Don Giovanni as suffering from Oedipus complex, this book may be for you. You may not agree with everything, but it will definitely give you new insights on some of the familiar works.

The Doningtons wrote this book to help players of recorders to develop and hone to maturity the following essential skills: fingering, breath control, and their coordination.

The exercises are divided into two sections. One section utilizes the soprano and tenor recorders, and the second part is written for the sopranino, alto, and bass recorders. Additionally, the exercises progress from the easy to the very difficult.

This book does not contain just scales and arpeggios. The authors also provide suggestions for fingering and breath control.

For example, the authors wrote on page 26: In changing from a' to d'', keep a firm hold with the second finger of the left hand and release the thumb and first finger simultaneously(supporting the instrument with the right hand). Relax the breath pressure as you go down to the low d'.

In conclusion, Doningtons' book is an excellent addition to the library of players of the recorder. Before I play other compositions for the recorder, I do preparation exercises from this book.

To an even greater extent than, say, Freudianism, Jungianism involves a leap of faith. It isn't rational, let alone anything like scientific; it's another case where a charismatic person once came up with a set of precepts, and the disciples follow them. But while I wouldn't recommend a Jungian therapist to anyone I cared about (I'd expect no harm except to the wallet; but little good either) Jungian analysis can be interesting when its applied to myth; it is after all largely based on Jung's ideas about myth. That makes Jungian ideas fairly apt for reading a myth-based work like the "Ring".

Robert Donington is a Jungian true believer, and he applies Jung's ideas with considerable ingenuity and interest. Sometimes he'll do anything to fit Wagner into the Jungian framework, so that, for example, he'll read the very male dragon Fafner as "the mother in her devouring aspect". That's a pretty desperate reading: Fafner is nobody's female principle, and only someone with a strongly pre-determined agenda could try to make him one.

Still, Donington is often insightful. Why is there a brief reminiscence of Erda's theme when Fricka appears in Walku:re Act II? Because, says Donington, Fricka is somehow representing Erda's wisdom in this appearance. Fricka may not seem wise, but on this occasion she is right. This and a hundred other small insights makes this a worthwhile and constantly interesting book. It's also very good on Wagner's mythological sources.

Donington is right in thinking that the Ring is an endlessly complex and profound work; but probably wrong in thinking that Jung holds the key. Still, while Donington's overall reading is eccentric and not entirely reliable, this is a very enjoyable and often insightful book.

Laon