The Saddest Music Ever Written: The Story Of Samuel Barber's Adagio For Strings - Softcover

Larson, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1605982865 ISBN 13: 9781605982861

Publisher: Pegasus, 2012

Synopsis

Rare book

About this title

Review:

This is a wonderful examination of the effects of an artistic artifact on culture and, conversely, the various uses (undreamt of by the composer) to which the music has been put by others. It is also a personal testament to the power of a cultural artifact on an individual. Highly recommended.

Written with great compassion and earnestness. An intimate history of this great work of music. it is the soundtrack of the soul.--Phyllis Nordstrom

Rarely, if ever, have nine minutes of music been subjected to such intense cultural, historical, and emotional analysis.--Eugene Drucker, violinist, The Emerson String Quartet

An exploration of a fascinating composer, a case study in the cultural appropriation of works of art, and a very personal meditation on the power of music.--Kevin Bazzana, author of Lost Genius

If Aaron Copland was the Updike of American music, then Samuel Barber was its Cheever. Larson provides a rich biographical context for Barber's fervid creativity.

About the Author:

Thomas Larson is the author of The Memoir and the Memoirist: Reading and Writing Personal Narrative. For twelve years, he has been a staff writer for the San Diego Reader where he specializes in profiles, narrative nonfiction, and investigative journalism. A dynamic speaker, Larson presents workshops on memoir writing and lectures on Samuel Barber's music throughout the country. he lives in San Diego with his partner Suzanna Neal.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pegasus
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1605982865
• ISBN 13: 9781605982861
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272