Brahms; A Listener's Guide, Includes Full-Length Audio CD

(Unlocking the Masters). In this survey of Brahm's music, John Bell Young explores in depth the composer's private world of musical intimacies that infuriated Wagner, but inspired Schumann, Schoenberg, and millions of music lovers for generations to come. He also addresses a controversial issue long-neglected by biographers and critics: Did Brahms sire an illegitimate child, and in the absence of concrete evidence, did he leave behind clues in his allusion-rich music? Accompanying the book is a CD featuring rare performances of Wilhelm Furtwangler, alongside brand new recordings of three extraordinary pianists.

John Bell Young's (Putney, VT) recordings have earned international critical acclaim. He has lectured at Brown University, the Juilliard School, and the Leningrad and Boston Conservatories. Reviews and articles about him in Time, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the San Fransisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone, and New York Magazine have constantly praised him. Broadcast appearances include NPR, WNYC, ABC-TV's 20/20, and David Dubal's nationally syndicated radio program, Reflections from the Keyboard. He has written for many major publications, including the St. Petersburg Times, Opera News, Music & Vision, Clavier, and the American Record Guide. www.johnbellyoung.com