The Life of Berlioz (Musical Lives) [Paperback]

Peter Bloom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 1998 | Series: Musical Lives

Berlioz was arguably the greatest French composer of the nineteenth century. Although the author of the Symphonie fantastique was possessed of a fertile imagination and sometimes obsessed by love, the image of Berlioz as a misunderstood and mistreated genius obscures both the solidity of his work as a musical architect and the reality of his position as one sometimes favored by those in power. This Life of Berlioz situates the celebrated French musician in the vibrant and highly politicized musical culture in which he lived and worked as composer, conductor, concert manager, and writer. Bloom's biography--based on special familiarity with archival sources and the composer's only recently made available writings--projects a noncaricatural and enormously talented Berlioz occupied with the practical details of polishing scores and articles, arranging concerts and tours, making connections with those in power, and making an independent career in the age of incipient free enterprise.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'One of the pleasures of The Life of Berlioz, by Peter Bloom, lies in the seamless way the author outlines the historical and cultural background. This book will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the period, not just in music.' The Times Literary Supplement

'Bloom brings fresh information and perspectives in a triumph of concentration entirely readable and compelling.' The Musical Times

Book Description

This Life of Berlioz tells the story of the greatest French composer of the nineteenth century. Berlioz is celebrated as the author of the Symphonie fantastique and other extroverted works that are often viewed as the thrilling but imperfect products of a flawed genius addicted both to bombastic musical effects and to unrequited love. Bloom's biography -- based on special familiarity with archival sources as well as with the composer's writings, now more completely available than ever before -- projects a non-caricatural Berlioz, an enormously talented Berlioz occupied with the practical details of polishing scores and articles, arranging concerts and tours, making connections with those in power, and making an independent career in the age of incipient free enterprise.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521485487
• ISBN-13: 978-0521485487
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,537,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Berlioz, December 6, 2000

By 

Jonathan Salter (Williamstown, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life of Berlioz (Musical Lives) (Paperback)

This book is an informal and anecdotal look into many of the areas of Berlioz's life that have only recently been uncovered. Bloom returned to primary sources for much of his material. While entertaining, this book deals with many of the major issues in Berlioz's personal and political life.

Bloom splits Berlioz's life into three main sections, divided by the French Revolutions of 1830 and 1848. Each subdivision deals with certain relevant issues in somewhat chronological order.

Containing no musical examples, this book would be inappropriate for a crash course in the music of Berlioz; rather, knowledge of this music first would be helpful, for Bloom's work provides detailed and interesting context for much of Berlioz's music. This knowledge is not at all necessary however, as the more technical and theoretical passages in the book are brief and presented in a way that is easy to grasp.

I enjoyed this short introduction into Berlioz's life, and if you are interested in original, genuine scholarship and interesting, insightful prose you will as well.