The Weapons of Rhetoric

‘An invaluable resource for any musician wanting to study the essential ingredients of an affective and effective performance of Baroque music. It may well be the most useful and intriguing book on Baroque performance practice ever written’. (Early Music America)

‘Serious performers and listeners should read it, whether because of rhetorical theory or Judy’s musical common sense, you’ll learn a lot about performance, as any who have heard her teaching will expect’. (Early Music Review)

‘The value of Tarling’s work is that her aim is fundamentally a practical one, getting beyond the usual categorizations and drawing on her experience as a performer. The approach from practice is much rare than from analysis, and, although distinguished performers have often commented on the need for understanding rhetoric, this has not until now been backed up with such comprehensive theoretical background and specific detail. For its comprehensive nature, scholarly interest, and particularly for its practical insights this is a book from which performers should learn a very great deal of value’. (Early Music)

‘A most exciting an important document, a truly fascinating book. I can imagine it will appeal to the avid concert goer as well as to the committed performer. Very approachable, with amusing drawings and instructive illustrations’. (European String Teachers’ Association)

Judy Tarling has been a pioneer in the early music movement since the seventies and is known principally as a member of The Parley of Instruments, The Hanover Band and The Brandenburg Consort. She has recorded extensively and performed world wide.