I have recently co-edited the first major scholarly book on the twentieth-century English composer, Herbert Howells. The book, The Music of Hebert Howells was published by the leading British Music specialists Boydell and Brewer in October 2013. I have contributed two chapters to this book: 'A Wholly New Chapter in Service Music: Collegium Regale and the Gloucester Service' and 'Austerity, Difficulty and Retrospection: The Late Style of Herbert Howells'. For more information on the book, and to purchase a copy please visit here.

There have recently been two favourable reviews of my recent book on Herbert Howells, The Music of Herbert Howells which came out in October. Classical Music Magazine referred to it as ‘a highly welcome scholasticoverview of broad swathes of Howells’s output’ and praises the contributions by Byron Adams and Graham Barber. The TLS referred to the book as ‘an excellent resource for anyone who wants to understand fully Howells’s…musical landscape’. Not too bad I guess.

There is a really nice review of The Music of Herbert Howells in this month’s Gramophone. The review, by Geraint Lewis, states: ‘This book…is a handsome volume…and astonishingly detailed’, ‘Phillip Cooke himself uncovers the sensuous radiance of the Gloucester Service and its legacy’, ‘Anyone who wants to know anything about Howells will find this book both treasure trove and invaluable extension to the existing bibliography’. Nice.

There has been another good review of the book in the current issue of The Musical Times, the esteemed musicologist Arnold Whittall refers to 'particular clarity from the generally well-crafted essays' and quotes me twice. I think that is a good thing.

There has been a further positive review of The Music of Herbert Howells in the latest edition of International Piano Review. The review (which mainly focusses on the piano music) states that it is an 'informative collection of essays' and that there are 'useful and pertinent insights afforded by this welcome volume.' Nice.