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
Daffy Neo
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Valley Guardian
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Darkside Orbit
Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
ThoughtTraveler
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds.
Leaf Assassin
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ
Knight Light
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Queen Bee
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win.
Leaf Assassin
ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Jester
πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Microwave
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Centurion Sherman
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Honey
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Kickstart
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Sweet Manhattan
πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Domino Combat
No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
FRMhndshk
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments.
Stud muffin
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Jetta Talent
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Mr. Alien
ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Twin Blaze
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
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