Music, Sense and Nonsense: Collected Essays and Lectures

(Hardback)

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Description

Alfred Brendel is arguably the greatest living pianist of our time, renowned for his masterly interpretations of Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. In addition, he has long been one of the world's most influential writers on music.

This important book brings together all of Brendel's essays and articles, published originally in two classic books, Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts and Music Sounded Out, along with new, previously unpublished material that brings it completely up to date.

Reviews

'He writes so well that it seems unfair in someone who plays as he does.' - Spectator; 'Everything he writes demonstrates the acuteness of his intelligence as well as his depth of sensibility.' - Independent on Sunday; 'The mix of thoughtfulness and brilliance that irradiates [Brendel's] performance infuses these spirited essays.' - Susan Sontag; "Music, Sense and Nonsense includes a vivid reflection on a long musical life, but at its heart is a series of engrossing dissections of the piano music of Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann." - The Sunday Times; "Alfred Brendel is an artist whose mind apparently never numbed, but stayed questing and curious, not content simply with making a piece work, but anxious to figure out the how and why of its working." - TLS

Author Bio

Alfred Brendel is known for his recordings, international concert appearances and writings. He has been credited with almost single-handedly rescuing from oblivion the piano music of Schubert's last years. He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1989.