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
Poptart AK47
I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Third Moon
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
Snow Cream
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Senior Smurf
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Noisy Girl
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Phoenix Tetra
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Energy
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Virgo Moon
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Tan Stallion
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
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LifeRobber
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Pop Bee
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Twix Bond
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
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Stud Buster
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
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🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Red Delicious
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Cujo
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience.
QuantumQuill
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Cool Whip
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
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