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 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
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
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
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
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
In this brilliant biography, acclaimed historian Paul Johnson draws upon his expert knowledge of the era and Mozart's own private letters to conjure Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life and times in rich detail.
Rimsky-Korsakov: Letters to His Family and Friends is a rare, revealing look at the composer, written by his granddaughter Tatiana. Featuring a wealth of correspondence and photographs from his family's
At 19 years old, Saul Goodman became timpanist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini. Forty-six years later, he retired as one of the most celebrated orchestral