Brahms (Composers Across Cultures) - Softcover

MacDonald, Malcolm

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019816484X ISBN 13: 9780198164845

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, this extraordinary series continues to amaze and captivate its readers with detailed insight into the lives and work of music's geniuses. Unlike other composer biographies that focus narrowly on the music, this series explores the personal history of each composer and the social context surrounding the music. In a precise, engaging, and authoritative manner, each volume combines a vivid portrait of the master musicians' inspirations, influences, life experiences, even their weaknesses, with an accessible discussion of their work--all in roughly 300 pages. Further, each volume offers superb reference material, including a detailed life and times chronology, a complete list of works, a personalia glossary highlighting the important people in the composer's life, and a select bibliography. Under the supervision of music expert and series general editor Stanley Sadie, Master Musicians will certainly proceed to delight music scholars, serious musicians, and all music lovers for another hundred years.

About this title

From Library Journal:

This is certainly the most thorough of the English-language biographies of Johannes Brahms. MacDonald relates all known facts about the composer, his relationship with friends and acquaintances, and his music. Biography and creative output are interwoven throughout the book, as the author rather laboriously discusses each composition in chronological order. It is assumed that the reader has a fair knowledge of Brahms's works and can read music, for MacDonald includes 68 musical examples that are important to the discussion. MacDonald's verbose style may put off the casual reader, but for a real Brahms lover, the book is a treat.
- Timothy J. McGee, Univ. of Toronto
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

"The life and music blend revealingly, with keen intelligence applied to both, in this wonderfully human and refreshingly written new biography. I will read it again and wish it twice as long."--Arts Beat

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 019816484X
• ISBN 13: 9780198164845
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 514