Bookpedia : Library : Genre : [Global:Letter]

ISBN: 0060926929

ListPrice: 22.00

Summary:  From Our Editors Based on the latest research, including Mozart family correspondence recently released, this fully illustrated and definitive portrait of one of the most revered yet enigmatic figures of all time reveals heretofore unknown facets of Mozart's complicated family background and explodes the myth of this musical genius as the "eternal child". Photos & musical pieces   From the Publisher In this first full-scale biography since the 1950s, esteemed biographer Maynard Solomon draws on a half-century of new information to provide an in-depth account of Mozart’s family life, his passions, and his personality.   From the Critics "I do not know a musician's biography as satisfying and as moving as this one." --Edward W. Said,New Yorker "Clearly the Mozart biography for our time." --Robert L. Marshall, Brandeis University "Brilliant." --New York Times Book Review 

ISBN: 0825672686

ListPrice: 19.95

Summary: Maynard Solomon is that rarest of writers on classical music: a well-trained expert who is also gutsy and humane, and who knows about life. He had the courage to write in recent years about Franz Schubert's homosexuality, which, judging by the size of the polemic that ensued, some academics were still not ready to hear about. But for many readers, Solomon's masterpiece is still his 1977 biography of Beethoven, offered here in a revised second edition that is a must-read for anyone interested in classical music, let alone "The Big Deaf One," as Jean Cocteau referred to the composer. Artfully blending history, psychology, sociology, and musicology in just the right measures, Solomon has taken the opportunity in his revision to focus more on certain themes, like Beethoven and Freemasonry; to discount evidence now seen as suspect, including the forgeries of the composer's friend Schindler; and to present new finds such as recently discovered documentary evidence. The result stands with Thayer's biography and Tovey's analyses as the classics on Beethoven, along with other fascinating books like the Cambridge Music Handbook on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. A triumph--bravo, Professor Solomon! --Benjamin Ivry For 20 years, Solomon's Beethoven has served scholars and lay readers as one of the most enlightening studies of the life and works of this fascinating composer. Justly praised for his thoroughness, honesty, and insight in presenting the many facets of a complex artist, Solomon approaches his subject from myriad different angles?historical, psychological, sociological, and aesthetic?to treat the reader to a view of Beethoven, his music, and his era that answers long-standing questions and... Softcover edition of this national bestseller! Hailed as a masterpiece for its original interpretations of Beethoven's life and music. This edition takes into account the latest information and literature. Includes a 30-page bibliographical essay, numerous illustrations and a full-color pictorial biography of the composer.