Bücher der Reihe Master Musicians Series

This is the largest life-and-works of Musorgsky ever to have appeared outside Russia. Musorgsky created stunning masterpieces in such creations as his opera Boris Godunov and piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition - yet his life was tragic. It is this pathetic tale, interlaced with critical discussion of music, that is this book's concern.

Robert Schumann, one of the most beloved composers of the Romantic movement, embodied the passion and imaginative spirit of his age. This biography recreates the dynamics of this man and his music, offering insight into his final years and his musical achievements. It is of interest to general readers as well as music students and historians.

Rewritten and updated, MacDonald uses recent scholarship, new biographical information, and deeper understanding of Schoenberg's aims and significance in this superb guide to his life and work.

Cooper's biography illuminates the reality of Beethoven's life, a refreshing departure from the usual star struck admiration of the composer. Accessible to, and essential for, the Beethoven scholar and general reader, this updated edition of Beethoven will enlighten readers through a close examination of both his works and expert commentary.

In this third edition of the classic Verdi, renowned authority Julian Budden offers a comprehensive overview of Verdi the man and the artist, tracing his ascent from humble beginnings to the status of a cultural patriarch of the new Italy.

A vivid portrait of Mozart, combining a well-reserched account of his life with an introduction to his works: symphonic,chamber, sacred, and theatrical.

Aimed at students, scholars, and those interested in Baroque music, this work demonstrates how the circumstances of Bach's life helped to shape the music he wrote at various periods. It presents a picture of Bach, his music, and his posthumous reputation and influence.

Part of the "Master Musicians" series, this title is a biography of one of the giants of Italian opera, Giacomo Puccini. Blending musical analysis with an account of Puccini's life, it looks at some of the most popular operas in the repertoire. It also provides an analysis of the operas themselves, examining the music act by act.

Mahler's music is an intimate reflection of his life and thought, and his continual self-questioning on matters of belief and the role of mankind. This volume draws on documentary evidence, and gives an account of his childhood and youth, and of his years as an opera conductor in Cassel, Prague, Leipzig, Budapest, Hamburg, and Vienna.