Laudes Musicae: Words in Praise of Music

[Dundas], Ontario, Canada:: The Aliquando Press,, 2020.. Edition of 40. 5 x 7"; 52 pages Red paper free end pages and pastedowns. Compiled, designed, printed, and bound by William Rueter. Letterpress printed using a variety of typefaces, decorations, and papers. Sewn binding. Bound in paper over boards with paper title label on spine. In paper slipcase with paper title label on spine. Numbered. William Rueter, colophon: "Since my early teens, music has been essential in my life. Perhaps the most abstract of the arts, music can entertain us or touch our deepest emotions, Music comforts and sustains us, affirms our humanity, and triumphs over distress. "Creating this book has unearthed joyful memories of concerts, recordings, and conversations about music. This book honours and celebrates the musicians and composers whose music has enriched by life."  A lovely tribute to music via the words of noted lovers and creators of music. The presentation flows in and out of the words like the refrains of musical compositions. "Laudes Musicae" begins with Alessandro Striggio's words "I am Music, and with sweet emotions / I can calm every troubled soul …" and ends with Aaron Copland's words "So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany & sustain it.