The Life of Webern (Musical Lives) - Hardcover

Bailey, Kathryn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 052157336X ISBN 13: 9780521573368

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

On 15 September, 1945 the composer Anton Webern was shot in confusing circumstances in a small mountain village near Salzburg, and the world lost a composer of extreme originality whose mature music was still almost unknown. When Webern's works did come to light he immediately became one of the most influential figures in music of the second half of this century. But the composer who was hailed as the originator of the hyperintellectualised serialism of the 1950s and 60s was by nature an ardent romantic who held feeling - and comprehensibility - to be important above all else in art. This book focuses on several aspects of Webern's life that have been treated only briefly in earlier accounts: his youthful instability, his often embarrassing dependence on Schoenberg, his naive nationalism and his absolute belief in the value of the brief moments of music he produced.

About this title

Review:

' ... a very welcome contribution to the Webern literature.' Judy Brown, Music and Letters

' ... concise and clear-headed ...'. David Schiff, The Times Literary Supplement

' ... a refreshing account which demystifies Webern without losing sight of the peculiar qualities of his music ...'. Julian Johnson, Musical Times

Book Description:

Kathryn Bailey presents a fascinating and highly accessible biography of Anton Webern, focusing on several aspects of Webern's life that have been treated only briefly in earlier accounts. These include his dependence on Schoenberg, his naive nationalism and his absolute belief in the value of his music.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 052157336X
• ISBN 13: 9780521573368
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 230