Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique attracts wide audiences and is acknowledged as a landmark of music history. This book situates the symphony within French Romanticism and considers influences, literary as well as musical, that shaped its conception. Richly detailed and accessibly written, it will appeal to music lovers, scholars, and students.
The three Mozart/Da Ponte operas offer a inexhaustible wellspring for critical reflection, possessing a complexity and equivocation common to all great humane works. They have the potential to reflect and refract whatever locus of contemporaneity may be the starting point for enquiry. Thus, even postmodern and postmillennial concerns, far from seeming irrelevant to these operas, are instead given new perspectives by them, while the music and the dramatic situations have the multivalency to accept each refreshed palette of interpretation without loss of their essential character. These operas seem perennially new. In exploring the evergreen qualities of Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, the authors of this book do not shun approaches that have foundations in established theory, but refract them through such problems as the tension between operatic tradition and psychological realism, the coexistence of multiple yet equal plots, and the antagonism between the tenets of tradition and the need for self-actualization. In exploring such themes, the authors not only illuminate new aspects of Mozart's operatic compositions but also probe the nature of musical analysis itself.
In seinem kurzen Leben schuf Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart eine unerhörte Vielfalt von Kompositionen, deren Ideenreichtum und Schönheit die Menschen bis heute faszinieren. Bei einem Kaffee spricht er über sein Leben, seine Liebeshändel und Freundschaften, Erfolge und Niederlagen – und das leidige Thema Geld.
Focusing on Berlioz's distinctive musical style, this analytical and critical study delves into the composer's innovative techniques and artistic expression. It explores the elements that set his work apart, offering insights into his contributions to the evolution of music. Through detailed examination, the book reveals the intricacies of Berlioz's compositions and their impact on the musical landscape, making it a valuable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts of classical music.
The book delves into the intricate development of Berlioz's 'dramatic symphony' Romeo et Juliette, often hailed as his masterpiece. It explores the unique musical elements and their dramatic significance, providing a detailed analysis that enhances the understanding of this original composition. Through this examination, readers gain insight into both the creative process behind the work and its emotional depth.
One of the best known figures in European music was Wolfgang Amade Mozart. His short but colorful life is of enduring interest, and his works remain central to the repertories of classical music. This book gives an account of Mozart's activities as a composer of operas. It includes a biography, orientated towards the operas; and more.
Synthesizes existing research into a chronologically based narrative. This volume on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791) takes the work and the life in parallel; for the vents of Mozart's life cannot be separated from his existence as a musical creator and performer.
Rushton offers a concise and up-to-date biography of this musical genius, combining a well-researched life of the composer with an introduction to the works--symphonic, chamber, sacred, and theatrical--of one of the few musicians in history to have written undisputed masterpieces in every genre open to composers of his time.
Focusing on Elgar's renowned 'Enigma' Variations, the book delves into the intricacies and significance of this iconic composition. It explores the themes, musical structure, and the personal connections behind each variation, offering insights into Elgar's creative process and the emotional depth of the piece. Through analysis and context, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the work's impact on classical music and its enduring legacy.
A concise history of classical music from c. 1750 to c. 1830, from Gluck to Beethoven