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
Legacy
I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Deano
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Yellow Menace
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Wiccan Trouble
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable.
NexusNinja
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Swerve
πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Lucky Brandy
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
Shadow Chaser
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ«
Blood Taker
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic!
Low Voltage
π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Shady Prairie
Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Bleachers
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π
West Warrior
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Uluru Walker
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Intimidating Presence
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Feral Mayhem
π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Twinkle Cutlass
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Tokyo Dream
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Light Despair
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Loot
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
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