Tone Poems - Book 1

A book of 90 superbly reproduced photographs by Bruce Barnbaum, printed via tri-tone technology by Bolis Poligrafica of Bergamo, Italy.

Accompanied by a magnificent compact disc of piano music played by Judith Cohen (solo piano) and others on duets and trios.

With an introduction by Gerard Schwarz, former Music Director of the Seattle Symphony the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York Chamber Symphony

Jointly published by Bruce Barnbaum and Rocky Nook.

Tone Poems combines the arts in a new, unique, and insightful manner. The book is a perfect sequel to Bruce's stunning Visual Symphony published in 1986 with a second printing in 1988 (now sold out). Whereas Visual Symphony alluded to music in its title, Tone Poems -- Book 1 includes music as part of the complete publication package. Each of the three parts — or opuses — of the book is accompanied by music drawn from the classical piano music literature, including solos, duets, and a trio, all on a compact disc featuring 74 minutes of music chosen to mirror and amplify the emotional content of the images within each opus. The imagery is divided into three distinctly different parts, or opuses, each being a study of an idea, or of a specific subject. Each opus is a complete statement, a complete emotional concept. Each is made more complete by the music chosen to enhance it. A brief essay by Bruce Barnbaum precedes each opus. The photographic imagery is extraordinary; the musical performances are outstanding. Whether your interest is photography, music, or both, you'll find the complete package to be a collector's dream.

The large format book — 12 1/4" by 12" — was printed by Bolis Poligrafiche, the printer for Bruce's first book, Visual Symphony. Each of the 90 photographs in Tone Poems have been laser-scanned and meticulously reproduced via the finest tritone printing methods available anywhere in the world today. The deep insights of the imagery and the extraordinary quality of the reproductions will take your breath away. Visual Symphony was excellent; Tone Poems -- Book 1 surpasses it!

The three parts, or opuses, that comprise Tone Poems -- Book 1 are:

Opus 1: Enigmas, Abstractions and Surprises
Opus 2: Darkness and Despair
Opus 3: Lyricism of the Land

The music of the compact disc has been carefully chosen from the classical piano literature to mirror and expand upon the mood of the imagery in each opus. Included are piano solos, duets and trios by Arensky, Bernstein, Brahms, Copland, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, masterfully interpreted by Judith Cohen, together with other fine musicians, and recorded in Seattle's Benaroya Hall using the latest digital equipment. The compact disc — magnificent in its own right — is available only with the book.

LIMITED EDITION: Book + Print

200 limited edition books are offered with an original hand-made silver-gelatin print of your choice numbered to correspond to your limited edition print.

Choose virtually any image for Limited Edition from the book (three popular examples shown here) in the size indicated below your choice for your limited edition of TONE POEMS -- BOOK 1. To see if your choice is available as a limited edition image—most, but not all are available—as well as the size in which it is available, please email brucebarnbaum@gmail.com or phone him at (360) 691-4105 with your questions. Your book will be signed by Bruce Barnbaum and individually numbered.

All photographs are silver-gelatin hand-printed images produced through traditional photographic processes, and mounted on archival cotton-fiber board. Each 11"x14" print is mounted on 16"x20" board; each 16"x20" print is mounted on 22"x28" board. 

The limited edition with a 16"x20" print is offered at $1000. 

With this offer you can obtain an original Bruce Barnbaum photograph together with the TONE POEMS book/CD set for less than the price of an original print alone!

TONE POEMS -- BOOK 1 is the first of two books in a collaboration between photographer Bruce Barnbaum and pianist Judith Cohen. 

This exciting set of books - each with an accompanying CD - featuring more than 180 photographs from one of the world's most insightful photographers, will become a treasured centerpiece for fine art collections. A photography library would be incomplete without this uniquely creative, groundbreaking duo that integrates the arts as never before.

The publication is an exhilarating integration of the arts — exceptional photography, extraordinary music, and thought provoking writing.

Comments about Tone Poems -- Book 1 from Reviewers and Readers

Review...by Richard Newby, B&W Magazine (January, 2003): "Tone Poems moves, from opus to opus, through subject matters and emotional tonalities that are markedly distinct, each from the next." "Whether of canyons or waterfalls, slickrock or farmland, silver dunes or tranquil lakes, these tone poems are masterworks by a mature artist at the peak of his powers, and dramatic evidence of a true generosity of spirit."

Review...by Donald Anderson, Photovision Magazine (November, 2002): "Many of the images in Opus 3, while easily recognizable..., exhibit similar building blocks of form and light seen in Opuses 1 and 2, giving Tone Poems a visual integrity informed by a creative, sensitive eye and a consistent style." "The piano music by Judith Cohen and the Barnbaum photographs support and reinforce each other, but neither dominates."

Review...by Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times (1/12/03): "The photographs (many subjects and styles, including abstractions and landscapes) aren't paired crudely with the music in a programmatic manner, but there are intriguing interrelationships (for example, the quirky and quicksilver "Visions Fugitives" of Prokofiev paired with sharply etched abstractions).

Comment by Bill Jay, Author and retired Professor of Art History, Arizona State University: "I have spent much time with your book (and its CD) It is a remarkable achievement and I would be honored to write something for the next volume."

Comment by Jacques Coudol, Tabanac, France: "My command of English is unfortunately too inadequate to express properly my thinking and feelings about this marvelous book." "The whole book (wonderful, magic, timeless), opened or closed, will now, forever, travel in my mind as an essential part of being. In summary: I am grateful to be alive at a time when Barnbaum exists and proves it. Thank you for all these great Poems.

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Order Now: 

You can order a personally signed copy of Tone Poems -- Book 1  for $79.95, plus shipping. Shipping is $15.00 anywhere in the US, and $55.00 in Canada. Beyond those two nations, please inquire about shipping costs to your destination. Thus, the total cost is $94.95 within the US and $134.95 ($US) in Canada. Beyond those two nations, the shipping cost is $85.00, for a total o f$164.95.

To obtain a personally signed copy of Tone Poems -- Book 1 you can order directly from this website by clicking on “Add to Cart” and following instructions. A personally signed copy of the book will be sent to you shortly.

Alternatively email Bruce directly at: barnbaum@aol.com. or phone him at (360) 691-4105 if you have questions. You can purchase the book directly from Bruce by personal check. Send a check by standard mail for the full amount to Bruce Barnbaum, with the check made out to Bruce Barnbaum and sent to:

BRUCE BARNBAUM
P.O.Box 1791
Granite Falls, WA 98252

For the limited edition book—including your chosen image from the book—the image is shipped separately. Shipping charges are as follows:

For a 16x20" print (mounted on 22x28" board): within the US $40.00; to Canada $85.00; beyond that $115.00.

Be sure to include your home or shipping address and your Email or phone contact info.