Book description
Financial Times - BEST BOOKS OF 2023'This superb account of how that glorious institution came into being will give you deep and abiding pleasure' Stephen FryWhen harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood and record producer Peter Wadland founded the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973, their mission was to create Britain's first orchestra devoted to recording baroque and classical music on period instruments. They went on to change the musical world. Their success brought the AAM global fame - bringing historically informed performance into the mainstream and putting Vivaldi into the pop charts. But then the orchestra faced a new challenge: reinventing itself to survive and thrive in the world its own success had created.For the first time, Richard Bratby tells the story of this trailblazing orchestra and the people who shaped it: fifty years of innovation, exploration and musical adventure, from the pioneering days of the early 1970s to new directions - and new triumphs - in the 21st century. 'An uplifting, anecdote-packed account of the Academy of Ancient Music [...]' Lucie Skeaping'The refiner's fire of AAM still burns brightly: this book tells us why. From the Marquis of Granby to the Hollywood Bowl; an illuminating account of a musical revolution.' Catherine Bott'Using a mass of archival material and many interviews, Refiner's Fire is a lively account of the orchestra's history, of Christopher Hogwood himself and of the other essential players (literal and figurative).' Emma Kirkby
Station WMD
Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! ๐ฑ๐ง I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
BlackExcalibur
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Shadow Gal
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Mantis Queen
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StarStrider
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Lightening Trip
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Princess Dove
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Sneaky Lady
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itโs so convenient.
Armed Hawk
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. ListenBookโs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Swedish Pixie
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Mr. Spy
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Star Jammer
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback.
Wheels
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐
Guncap Slingbad
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBookโs interface is beautiful and functional. Itโs my favorite app for audiobooks. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Toe
Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ๐๐ง Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnโt dislike it, but I also didnโt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Twisty Dew
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level โ it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnโt blown away. The narratorโs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Fire Feline
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores โ this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
Sneaky Lady
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. ๐ถ๐ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. ๐ง๐ถ โฐ Maximizing my time with efficient features โ this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. ๐โณ
Demo Tequila
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go โ it's my daily companion. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
Grave Digger
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience