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
Swedish Pixie
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Pexxious
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
Sidewalk Enforcer
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Swedish Pixie
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Combo Saw
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Winded On Friday
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Romance Princess
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Bambi Benz
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Shadow Bishop
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
StarStrider
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
DragonBlood
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Valley Guardian
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Low Voltage
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Zorkle Sporkle
Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Dove Dolce
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length – I'm in! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Moxie
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Light Despair
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
FlyGuardX
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Palomino Cake
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Firedog
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
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