Richard Strauss
Man, Musician, Enigma
- Author: Michael Kennedy
- Date Published: November 2006
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521027748
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This book re-evaluates a figure whom the author considers to be the greatest composer of the twentieth century. Kennedy deals fully with Strauss's life as leading composer and national figure in the Third Reich, during which he was both fêted and cold-shouldered by the authorities. In putting this period into perspective he draws heavily on hitherto ignored material, including Strauss's own letters and diaries. In addition he reveals much about Strauss's long, happy but tempestuous marriage to the soprano Pauline de Ahna as well as tracing the important relationships to his librettists Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Stefan Zweig, Joseph Gregor and Clemens Krauss. Kennedy reassesses the man and the music, revealing a picture of a level-headed, practical and extremely versatile musician - a great conductor as well as a great composer.
Read more- Author highly regarded music critic for the Sunday Telegraph
- 1999 is the 50th anniversary of Richard Strauss' death
- Contains a full-scale examination of both the composer's life and his music
- The musical discussion is written in an accessible and non-technical style
- Pays particular attention to the years of the Nazi regime
Awards
- Michael Kennedy is awarded the French critic's prize for Richard Strauss: Man, Musician, Enigma by the Musical Times
Reviews & endorsements
'Mr Kennedy's new biography of Strauss is certain to become the standard work, shaping the interpretations of a whole generation of Strauss's scholars (and ordinary music lovers) to come.' Sunday Telegraph
See more reviews'One of the many merits of this excellently researched book is that it pinpoints the centrality to Strauss of his family life … It is worth reading … not only for its jaunty style, but also for the integrity with which it provides even discreditable information about its protagonist.' Gerald Kaufman, Daily Telegraph
'Although Kennedy refrains from detailed musical analysis, he is always interesting, if sometimes controversial, in his evaluation of Strauss's most important works and evangelical on behalf of his lesser known ones … Kennedy's book is an important and absorbing contribution to the continuing Strauss debate.' Hugh Canning, Sunday Times
'Michael Kennedy has written a fine work, which I believe will be the benchmark for all future biographies of Richard Strauss.' Literary Review
'Written in an elegantly accessible style, this is the most valuable book on Strauss and his music to have appeared in English.' Charles Osborne, BBC Music Magazine
'… his is one of the best balanced and most intelligent presentations of a composer's work I have ever encountered.' The Observer
'This is a highly enjoyable book. Kennedy gives a sensitive and judicious account of Strauss's life …' The Musical Times
'… majestic and beautifully written study … Here is a major contribution to musical literature at the highest level.' Musical Opinion
'… his abiding love of the subject and his gift for sane human judgements persistently edge us closer to the truth of the enigma that was Strauss.' Gramaphone
'… by virtue of his thoroughness and passion for the subject, Kennedy has given us even cause to celebrate Strauss …' Opera News
'Lord Harewood, the former chairman of English National Opera, reckons Kennedy's 'measured, accurate and penetrating championing' of Strauss to be his finest achievment, 'Strauss was, in some quarters, reviled, and Michael corrected that. He's not just a critic, but an excellent historian'.' The Sunday Telegraph
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×Product details
- Date Published: November 2006
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521027748
- length: 468 pages
- dimensions: 229 x 152 x 26 mm
- weight: 0.682kg
- contains: 25 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. 1864–1898: Youth in Munich:
1. The family
2. Wunderkind
3. Growing up
4. Meiningen
5. Third conductor
6. Dora and Weimar
7. First failure
8. Engagement
9. Pauline
10. The tone-poet
Part II. 1898–1918: The Berlin Years:
11. At the Kaiser's court
12. Enter Hofmannsthal
13. The Ariadne crisis
14. Twentieth-century Offenbach
Part III. 1918–1933: Out of Fashion:
15. Vienna
16. Intermezzo
17. Helena
18. Arabella
19. The gathering storm
Part IV. 1933–1949: The Dark Years:
20. Taking Walter's place
21. The Reich chamber
22. Dismissal
23. Working with Gregor
24. Danae and Madeleine
25. After Capriccio
26. Eightieth birthday
27. Metamorphosen
28. 'I am Richard Strauss …'
29. The exile
30. London
31. Last songs
32. Return to Garmisch
Appendices
Notes
Select bibliography
Index.
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