The Lives of the Great Composers

This history of classical music, from Bach to Schoenberg, not only unravels the evolutionary patterns of musical development, but reveals the composers themselves - their lives and states of mind, their private defeats and public triumphs. From Schumann, who believed angels were dictating his harmonies, to J.S. Bach who had a cantata deadline to meet every Sunday in order to feed nine children, we can discern the various sources of inspiration. This book is designed to be used as a reference to many of the major composers and their music, but is also a source of relevant biographical detail.