Antony Cooke

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Antony Cooke : biography

3 August 1948 –

Notes

Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Music Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music Category:American classical cellists Category:American composers Category:American astronomers Category:American non-fiction writers Category:People from Sydney Category:Australian emigrants to the United States Category:University of South Florida faculty Category:Northwestern University faculty Category:University of California, Los Angeles faculty

Record Reviews

Cooke has been praised for his “sterling abilities, with technical accomplishments ideally counterpoised by a fertile imagination and volcanic temperament” (Fanfare May 1996), and “rich, sonorous tone…performances involving, thoughtful and polished” (American Record Guide Nov. 2005). Cooke’s recording of Kodály’s Solo Cello Sonata, Op. 8 was hailed as “the finest recent performance” by Fanfare (Nov. 1998). Stereo Review (now Sound and Vision), called his recording of the Solo Sonata “vibrant and dedicated” (Feb 1998), and the American Record Guide commended Cooke as a “solid technician of unusual poise…..this CD does indeed demonstrate cello power” (Sept. 1997). Commentary in American Poems stated it was a "must own" CD. Michale Barone described Cooke’s playing as "impassioned and exhillarating…Antony Cooke survives the challenge brilliantly!" in his review of Cooke’s 2009 recording of the Kodaly Solo Sonata, for Minnesota Public Radio Classical Show (25 March 2010). Mike D. Brownell, however, criticized Cooke’s playing in a review of Cooke’s record "The Solo Cello" for allmusic.com, claiming that Cooke "gets carried away musically". Says Brownell of Cooke’s Solo Sonata recording, "So filled with rubato is Cooke’s interpretation that the usually powerful, forward-moving piece nearly comes to a stand-still on several occasions. Chords are played with a tiresome delay at the bottom half that makes Cooke’s playing predictable."Brownell, Mike D. "The Solo Cello-Antony Cooke." AllMusic. Ravi Corporation. Web.

Astronomy book reviews

Astronomy Now remarked in May 2004 that Cooke’s "Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs" (2003) is “a must buy for the city astronomer." Southern Stars (Vol. 43 (1), March 2004) stated that it “should be considered an essential for today’s amateur who has to endure light pollution". In 2005, the Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society commented on "Visual Astronomy under Dark Skies, stating that it was “highly recommended for visual observers who want to push their eyeball observing to the limit”. However, Dr. Stewart Moore criticized Cooke’s messy explanations of the basic operation of intensifiers in the "Journal of the British Astronomical Association",Vol. 115 Issue 5, p245-246, October 2005 stating that "anyone wanting detailed technical information on the operation of intensifiers will also need to look elsewhere."

Published books (astronomy)

Cooke’s current published works on astronomy include:

  • Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs: A Guide to Spectacular Viewing (Springer 2003)Cooke, Antony. Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs: a Guide to Spectacular Viewing. London: Springer, 2003. Print.
  • Visual Astronomy Under Dark Skies: A New Approach to Observing Deep Space (Springer 2005)Cooke, Antony. Visual Astronomy Under Dark Skies: A New Approach to Observing Deep Space. London: Springer, 2005. Print.
  • Make Time for the Stars: Fitting Astronomy into Your Busy Life (Springer 2009)Cooke, Antony. Make Time for the Stars: Fitting Astronomy into Your Busy Life . London: Springer, 2009. Print.

Cooke will release his next book, "Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and Dust Lanes",http://www.springer.com/astronomy/astronomy,+observations+and+techniques/book/978-1-4614-1185-7 in March 2012.

Teaching positions

Professor of Cello at University of South Florida (1974–80) and Associate Professor of Cello at Northwestern University School of Music (1980–84), Chicago.

Published compositions

  • Western Overture (Kendor 1979)"Antony Cooke: Career, Record Reviews, Astronomy Book Reviews, Teaching Positions, Recordings, Published Books (astronomy), Published Compositions, Notes, and a List of Books by Author Antony Cooke." Trade Books for Free, Book Swap, Trade Audiobooks » PaperBack Swap. PaperBackSwap.com. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. .
  • Herculaneum (Kendor 1979)
  • Variation on an English Air (Studio P/R 1985)
  • Fantasia on a Traditional Australian Melody (Studio P/R 1985)
  • Outback Work Song (Studio P/R 1986)
  • Spirit of the Land (Studio P/R 1986)
  • Hungarian Dance (Kjos, adapt/arr. 1990)
  • Wings (music for NBC TV series; theme adapt/arr Schubert 1991)