This thorough index to names taken by writers of music is formidable. It excludes performers, being limited to those who have either written music or words set to music (ranging from songs to opera and hymns).
There are four chapters, the first of which is a list of the catalogues, encyclopaedias and other sources used in the compilation. The final chapter gives additional notes for some entries that would have bulked out the main listings too much. The bulk of the book comprises the two main listings by original names (chapter 2) and by assumed names (chapter 3). Each entry for the original name lists their dates and brief information about them (a few words only). It also gives all the known assumed names (and some have many!). Like greatness these have sometimes been chosen, sometimes thrust upon the individual. A short introduction to the book outlines the various reasons that writers and composers have acquired other names – to hide origins, nationality, gender, or to avoid confusion between their works of different genres. Each individual entry also gives the source(s) of information about the assumed names, showing the books scholarly credentials.
From a very basic search of the internet, it would appear that this book can provide information much more quickly and thoroughly than is possible via a search engine. Such is the nature of AKAs (not a term that fits well as a noun as it means “also known as”) that some are difficult to search online, so this is a clear case where the printed work will be much easier to use and more reliable, especially as the sources will be much more wide‐ranging than is likely on the internet.
In terms of usability, the entries in the original name listing are differentiated by indentation only. This gives the impression of a block of text. It might have been kinder on the eye if each new name entry (i.e. the original names) had been in bold type or separated from the previous entry in order to break up the text. Despite this minor flaw, Musical AKAs will be a useful addition to the specialist music library.
