The definitive biography and critical study of Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) this volume deals at length not only with with the composer's musical achievements but also with aspects of his life and workthat made him one of the most important cultural figures in eighteenth-century France. Fascinating incidents include his central position in a musical controversy that excited the enmity of Rousseau Diderot and theEncyclopedists; his friendship and collaboration with Voltaire; and his position as the author of a treatise on harmony that endured for two centuries. This critical evaluation focuses chiefly on Rameau's musical works devoting entire chapters to his operas and ballets as well as his chamber music cantatas and motets and minor works. Additional topics include his links to Lully his influence on Gluck and the nature and importance of hisacoustic and harmonic theories. Supplements include more than 300 musical examples numerous useful approaches indexes an extensive bibliography and a new introduction by the distinguished musicologist and historian PhilipGossett.

'Altogether a sensitive and tasteful document.' ??? Library JournalA series of themed essays rather than a traditional biography this profile of the Polish composer and virtuoso pianist is the work of a legendaryconductor and performer. Alfred Cortot taught at the Paris Conservatory of Music co-founded the ??cole Normale de Musique de Paris and produced printed versions of the complete works of Chopin Schumann and Debussy. In theserevealing chronicles Cortot focuses on Chopin's compositions as well as his performances and personal relationships.Beginning with an account of the composer's physical characteristics the book examines Chopin's role asa teacher; his works as reflected by his correspondence; his identity as a Polish nationalist and his attitude toward France; and his concert performances. It further explores his friendships with Liszt and Delacroix and hisromance with George Sand as well as the composer's chronic illness and the expression of his tormented sensitive nature in his music.Reprint of the Peter Nevill Limited London 1951 edition.

The sumptuously-illustrated biography traces his life both public and private against the fashionable background of turn-of-the-century Paris. Included in simple keyboard arrangements are extracts from some of Debussy's most sensuous music.Composer's World is a new series of books illustrating the life and times of the world's greatest composers. With pictures words and music it places each composer's life and work within the circumstances that shaped their career.

The Music Of George Harrison-Far from being 'the quiet one ' George Harrison was a writer and arranger of terrific power and beauty and his guitar playing was fundamental to the sound and success of The Beatles.Simon Leng presents the most comprehensive evaluation of the art and music of George Harrison ever published from the star's initial early influences right up to his final collection of songs Brainwashed. Treating each song with unprecedented analysis Leng reveals Harrison's eclectic approach - from teenage Nashville twang through Indian raga psychedelia gospel soul and pure pop - thoroughly defining Harrison's role in The Beatles. First hand accounts of theConcert For Bangla Desh and the making of All Things Must Pass take the reader deep into the most fertile and controversial periods of Harrison's long solo career.Enhanced with insights from key figures who worked closely with Harrison throughout his extraordinary career this biography is a remarkably stirring study and portrait of a great artist whose musical and spiritual quest changed the lives of millions of people around the world while redefining popular music and rock'n'roll.

The life of this passionate controversial genius is recreated here in a lavishly-illustrated biography. Included are extracts from some of Beethoven's most famous works - the 3rd 5th and 9th symphonies the 'Emperor' piano concerto and the 'moonlight' sonata - in the simple keyboard arrangements.Composer's World is a series of books illustrating the life and times of the world's greatest composers. With pictures words and music it places each composer's life and work within the circumstances that shaped their career.

The dramatic events of Tchaikovsky's controversial career are portrayed in this splendidly-illustrated biography. Included are extracts in simple keyboard arrangements from some of his most popular works including the Pathetique Symphony the 1812 Overture and First Piano Concerto.Composer's World is a new series of picture illustrating the life and times of the world's greatest composers. With pictures words and music it places each composer's life and work within the circumstances that shaped their career.

Written by Brett Morgen with Richard Bienstock, Cobain: Montage Of Heck is a true goldmine of exclusive material collected and created for the acclaimed documentary. Delving further into the interviews, art and photography used in the film, this book is the perfect companion piece to the definitive film on this genuine legend's life.Even if you haven't yet seen the film, or you've loved it and have been left wanting more, Cobain: Montage Of Heck will definitely quench your thirst for all things Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. The legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist has gone down in history as almost a mythically brilliant voice of a generation, turning late 20th century angst into electrifying rock music. Brett Morgen's Montage Of Heck documentary was fully authorised by the Cobain family, after his widow Courtney Love approached him with the idea for the film.Getting exclusive access to Cobain's personal and family archives was an unprecedented achievement, allowing Morgen to delve deeply into home movies, recordings, artwork, photography, demos and journals, presenting an intimate portrait of Cobain's personal life as well as his astonishing artistry. The exclusive interviews in the film have provided fans with incredible insight into Cobain's life, featuring words from all the key figures like Courtney Love, Krist Novoselic, and his parents. Included in this book are extended versions of these interviews, giving unbridled vision into his life and work, told by the people who knew him best.Accompanying these interviews are some incredible and often never-before-seen visuals including animation stills from the films, personal art, candid photography and other treasures from his personal archive. Looking at these visuals, readers will find a true sense of the tortured genius, the artist who achieved enormous success and almost demi-god status yet still struggled with his personal, all-too-human demons. Since Cobain's tragic death, fans have been left with nothing but his music and an overwhelming amount of press rumours and cinema speculation. Now, Cobain: Montage Of Heck and the accompanying documentary provides the most definitive insight into the real man behind the musical legend.For nearly everyone who is interested in popular music, this book is absolutely fascinating. Cobain's boundary-pushing art has almost been overshadowed by rumour, but this book thankfully restores both to their rightful place, setting examples of his boundless creativity alongside authorised truths from the people who knew him intimately. Cobain: Montage Of Heck is sure to be seen as a true classic of rock biography. / Livre

The Beatles' Solo Years 1970-1980-In the years following the 1960s Beatle fans around the world were twice-stunned: in 1970 when their beloved group disbanded and ten years later when the murder of John Lennon ended a decade of hope that somehow the Fab Fourwould reunite. Fab Four FAQ 2.0 picks up the story where the acclaimed Fab Four FAQ left off. Loaded with images of rare period ephemera including periodicals single sleeves and movie stills this is the firstcomprehensive biography of all four ex-Beatles. This book covers everything from their recording careers in the decade after the band's dissolution to the musicians they played with the bands they influenced the manifestationsof latter-day Beatlemania and the constant clamor for reunion expressed by fans and – sometimes – by the four themselves.

The Life and Music of Roy Orbison. Roy Orbison emerged as an artist alongside his Sun Records contemporaries in the early days of rock 'n' roll. He did not possess the good looks of Elvis Presley or the everyman toughness of Johnny Cash, nor did he conduct wild-child stage antics like Jerry Lee Lewis. But he did possess a magnetic

Johann Sebastian Bach Volume I. This monumental study of Johann Sebastian Bach ranks among the great classics of musicology. Since its first publication in 1873-80, it has remained the basic work on Bach and the foundation of later research and study. The three-part treatment describes in chronological sequence practically everything that is known of the composer's life: his ancestry, his immediate family, his associations, his employers, and the countless occasions on which his musical genius emerged. Author Philipp Spitta accompanies this biographical material with quotations from primary sources: correspondence, family records, diaries, official documents, and more. In addition to biographical data, Spitta reviews Bach's musical production, with analyses of more than 500 pieces, covering all the important works. More than 450 musical excerpts are included in the main text, and a 43-page musical supplement illustrates longer passages. Despite the scholarly nature of this work, it also has the rare distinction of being a study that can be read with considerable enjoyment and great profit by every serious music lover, with or without a substantial background in the history of music or musical theory.