In this the fifth biography in the ABRSM Extraordinary Lives series Beethoven expert Professor Barry Cooper provides a fascinating and compact summary of the key moments in Beethovenâ??s life. In exploring crucial documents Cooper provides fresh insights into Beethovenâ??s personality and motivations whilst challenging much of the prevalent â??mythologyâ?? that surrounds him.

A l'occasion du bicentenaire de la naissance de Mozart, les mélomanes vont pouvoir découvrir un texte jusqu'alors peu connu du public francophone : la Description de la vie du maître de chapelle impérial et royal Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, parue à Prague en 1808. ?uvre d'un érudit de Bohême, Franz Xaver Niemetschek, qui connut personnellement Mozart avant d'être le tuteur de son fils aîné, ce récit fourmille d'anecdotes et de témoignages émanant de ses proches. Il est aussi la base de toutes ses biographies sérieuses publiées ultérieurement - comme un texte d'une fraîcheur, d'une poésie et d'une saveur rares. Précédée d'une introduction du germaniste suisse Constant Motel, également auteur de sa traduction française, la Description est suivie de plusieurs contributions remarquables, pour la plupart inédites dans notre langue : tel Mozart à New York d'Otto Biba, passionnante évocation des premières exécutions des ?uvres du maître de Salzbourg aux Etats-Unis et de son... vivant. Ou encore Mozart sans pédale, une superbe étude de Paul Badura-Skoda portant sur l'interprétation actuelle des ?uvres de clavier laissées par le classicisme viennois. Jacques Chailley traite du mépris de certains salons à l'égard de Mozart et Richard Wagner décrit avec humour une représentation de Don Giovanni à Paris. Autant d'images de l'un des génies les plus singuliers et universels de tous les temps...

No composer has ever achieved the amazing artistic progression that Haydn has. He invented the string quartet as we know it became known as 'the Father of the Symphony' and mentored the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His creative life was one of ceaseless experimentation and invention. Author David Hurwitz shows readers how to more fully enjoy Haydn's music acquainting them with the master's innovative melodic creativity revolutionary use of musical form and important characteristics of his personal style such as his genius for writing in minor keys and creating comedy in his music. Hurwitz explores Haydn's vocal music and instrumental masterpieces that fall outsidethe mainstream as well as his principle instrumental works. A special chapter of letters and quotations by the composer himself introduces the reader to Haydn the man. Four appendices list all of his symphonies string quartets Piano sonatas and Piano trios and specify their distinguishing characteristics. Two accompanying Naxos CDs provide more than two and a half hours of beautiful music keyed to pieces described in the book.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Britainâ??s greatest composers Sir Edward Elgar renowned Elgar scholar J.P.E. Harper-Scott casts new and frequently surprising light on Elgar chronicling his rise to the forefront of early twentieth-century modernism in this concise and absorbing volume. Hailed by the June 2007 BBC Music Magazine as 'possibly the best first stop for learning about Elgar's life ' this fascinating and accessible history is suitable for both students and Elgar enthusiasts alike. J.P.E. Harper-Scott takes a combative swipe at many of the critical myths and prejudices that have attached themselves to the figure of Elgar revealingboth a surprisingly elusive personality and a deeper often darker message within his works. Questions answered include How did the son of a provincial piano tuner rise to international fame' Was the English countryside the principle inspiration for Elgar's music' Was this moustachioed red-blooded imperialist all that he seemed' And more!

The great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed more than 600 works of every musical genre - symphonies concertos chamber works even operas. In this book the first of two David Hurwitz guides the reader/listener through the master's chamber and orchestral music a body of work unique in style expressive range emotional depth formal perfection and sheer beauty. This music doesn't sound like anyone else's. Only Mozart could have written it. Hurwitz's insightful text and the accompanying full-length CD shows us what makes Mozart's music so unique and special - and how to enjoy its many delights. This book is the first of a two-volume set covering Mozart'sorchestral and vocal work.

Dame Fanny Waterman: My Life In Music tells the extraordinary story of one of the twentieth century???s most inspirational British women. Born into an artistic family in impoverished circumstances her prodigious musical talent and sheer determination was her passport out of hardship leading to recognition as one of the most talented young pianists of her generation. Her emergence as a visionary teacher leads to the founding of the Leeds International Piano Competition and relationships with many internationally renowned pianists whose lives she has touched through her work. Interwoven throughout the story Dame Fanny Waterman shares her inspirationalphilosophies on life learning and music and her compelling and utter passion for the Piano.

In this vivid portrait Bruce Wood illuminates the sometimes shadowy figure of Henry Purcell richly evoking the atmosphere of 17th-century England - full of intrigues and plots. By interweaving the events during an unparalleled period of social and political change with the life and music of Purcell Wood creates an account of this elusive English genius that is hard to put down.'The quality of the writing the concision colour and grittiness of the narrative sets this book apart from all others on the subject.' Professor Sir Curtis Price

Building on the renaissance in Mendelssohn scholarship of the last two decades Rethinking Mendelssohn critically engages with the composer's music and aesthetics as well as the interpretation of his works in relation to contemporaneous culture.

Pierre Boulez s'est toujours distingué non seulement comme un compositeur essentiel de la modernité et un grand chef d'orchestre, mais également comme un penseur et un essayiste de tout premier plan. A l'occasion de la parution de deux recueils de ses écrits en 2005, un colloque était organisé à l'Ecole normale supérieure de Paris. Ce livre en constitue les actes. / Livre