Moriz Rosenthal in Word and Music: A Legacy of the Nineteenth Century - Hardcover

9780253346605: Moriz Rosenthal in Word and Music: A Legacy of the Nineteenth Century

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253346606 ISBN 13: 9780253346605

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2005

As a pianist, Rosenthal was unparalleled: his legato touch came from Chopin through his pupil Mikuli; his awareness of composition was developed by Liszt; his Brahms interpretation shaped by the composer himself; and his ingeniously crafted piano-paraphrases memorialized his friendship with Johann Strauss II. Yet Rosenthal’s pianistic abilities were married to a rare intellectual erudition—a knowledge of literature, history, philology, science, philosophy, and society that few pianists have ever matched, let alone surpassed.

In these striking pieces, we see every facet of Rosenthal: memoirist, social critic, pedagogue, and virtuoso. He could write with gravity and pathos, yet his famous and sometimes devastating wit is legendary. This volume combines Rosenthal’s writings with critical assessments of the pianist by such contemporaries as Eduard Hanslick, Edward Prime-Stevenson, and Hugo Wolf. It is rounded out with an illuminating preface by Charles Rosen, perhaps Rosenthal’s most renowned pupil; a discography and concertography; and a CD featuring never-before-released Rosenthal recordings.

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About the Author:

Mark Mitchell is the author of Virtuosi and Vladimir de Pachmann both published by Indiana University Press. He is the recipient of a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship for 2006-2007.

Allan Evans is the founder, owner, and producer of Arbiter Recording Company. He lives in New York City.

Review:

Much like the picture that emerges when one pieces together a jigsaw puzzle, a picture of Moriz Rosenthal (1862, 1946) emerges from the many bits of information Mitchell and Evans have assembled here. Each piece of the puzzle is important to the understanding of this giant in the piano world. A preface by Charles Rosen, among Rosenthal's most famous students, gives the reader a warm view of the pianist as teacher. Mitchell and Evans fill indetails and sort through many issues in their introduction. Rosenthal's slight autobiography (20—plus pages) helps the reader see his wit and passion. Letters and excerpted anecdotal writings by Rosenthal and some not—always—glowing reviews of his concerts add more detail. A few pages of period photographs place him in historical context with teachers and colleagues. The appendixes complete the picture, offering snippets of his humor, a discography, and an invaluable annotated concertography. And then like icing on the cake: an audio CD recorded fairly late in Rosenthal's life, which reveals him as a remarkable interpreter of Chopin. This is a valuable work for pianists and an enjoyable read for everyone. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Inclusive music libraries serving readers at all levels.Choice

(Choice)

"These recordings and others will satisfy the curiosity that must be provoked by the opportunity here afforded; and, for that opportunity, we must acknowledge the informed and valuable work of Mark Mitchell and Allan Evans." —Chronicles, July 2006

(Chronicles 2006-01-00)

"This is a valuable work for pianists and an enjoyable read for everyone. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Inclusive music libraries serving readers at all levels." —Choice

(Choice)

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