In this, the fifth biography in the Extraordinary Lives series, Beethoven expert Professor Barry Cooper provides a fascinating and compact summary of the key moments in Beethoven's life. In
Believe Your Ears is the memoir of composer Kirke Mechem, whose unorthodox path to music provides a fascinating narrative. Along the way, readers will meet Dimitri Shostakovich, Wallace Stegner, Billie Jean
In this book, the first biography ever of this remarkable figure, Blickstein and Benko explore the private and public lives of this master pianist, surveying his achievements within the context of
In Experiencing Carl Maria von Weber, Joseph Morgan walks readers through the many masterpieces that comprise Weber's oeuvre, providing key insights by integrating critical points in the composer's life
In this book, Teresa Davidian welcomes readers into the infectious appeal of Debussy's major works to consider how they can still attract and move audiences. In such works as the hauntingly beautiful Clair
In this book, Kenneth LaFave guides reader past Bernstein's famously tortured personal problems and into the clarity and balance of his Serenade after Plato’s Symposium for Violin and
In this book, music historian David Schroeder illustrates how the issues Mozart cared about so deeply remain important to modern listeners. His views on politics, women, authority, and religion are
Experiencing Schumann: A Listener’s Companion combines a concise biography of Robert Schumann with an analysis of works from the most important genres in which he worked. The music is discussed in the
In this book, music historian Robin Maconie takes a fresh approach to understanding this great composer’s works, explaining what makes Stravinsky's sound unique and what we, as listeners, need to know
A comprehensive portrait of Jan Ekier, renowned Chopin scholar. Based on the doctoral dissertation Jan Ekier. The man and his work. Pianist and teacher. English translation by John Comber.
The definitive biography and critical study of Jean-Philippe Rameau, this volume deals at length not only with the composer's musical achievements but also with aspects of his life and work that made him
This book combines interviews with Opperman's former students with personal essays and reflections from those closest to the master teacher and performer. Gainey explores Opperman's life, pedagogy, and
Leading Tones is a glimpse into several aspects of the musical world by Leonard Slatkin, music director and conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. There are portions devoted to the Slatkin's
Leonard Bernstein touched millions of lives as composer, conductor, teacher and activist. He frequently visited homes around the world through the medium of television, particularly through the 53
In this resource, the author examines this landmark work, a score that continues to influence composers of film and classical music alike. The book begins with a biographical survey of Bernstein's
An intimate biography of a complex, controversial, and now neglected composer, The Life and Songs of Stephen Foster is an important story about the father of American music. This invaluable portrait of the
In print with the original text for the first time in decades, here is the intriguing autobiography Sousa wrote in the final years of his life. Contained within are amusing and insightful reflections of the
Truly great compositions spring, like Athena from Zeus' skull, at the juncture of genius and passion. In Mathilde Wesendonck: Isolde's Dream, author Judith Cabaud calls on a host of heretofore undiscovered
The Melodies of Francis Poulenc is the first work to contain the complete collection of Poulenc's song compositions, providing IPA transcriptions and word-for-word translations in an easy reference format.