On and Off the Record : A Memoir of Walter Legge (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Legge is precise, colorful, and knowledgeable, and so are the music-makers . . . who populate this book as they filled his life. -- New Yorker

One reads these pages. . .with a sense of elation for what Legge accomplished. -- Robert Jaco bson, Opera News

Product Description

For decades, Walter Legge (1906-1979) was the dominant figure in the recording of classical music. As music critic of the Manchester Guardian, head of the classical division of EMI/Angel, assistant artistic director at Covent Garden, and founder-owner of the great Philharmonia Orchestra, he was at the very center of international musical life during the mid-twentieth century.

A self-absorbed authoritarian and perfectionist who was either revered or detested by his contemporaries, Legge was passionately devoted to the highest standards of performance. Known as the "autocract of the turntable" or "the pope of music," Legge collaborated with such singers and conductors as Maria Callas, Herbert von Karajan, Sir Thomas Beecham, and Otto Klemperer to produce hundreds of recordings that are still considered the finest ever made in opera, the symphonic literature, chamber music, and especially German Lieder.

In On and Off the Record, the great soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Legge's wife and musical associate for over thirty years, compiles and annotates writings both by and about her late husband to provide a fascinating and rich portrait of this complicated musical genius. Connected by Schwarzkopf's own charming narrative, the collection combines fragments from Legge's unfinished autobiography, his correspondence, and his musical criticism with tributes from colleagues as well as radio and television interviews. The work includes an appreciation by Dorle Soria, cofounder of Angel Records, observations by distinguished musicologist Edward Greenfield on Legge's studio sessions, and a selected discography by Alan Sanders.

On and Off the Record is both a history of a golden age of recording and a lively memoir of the brilliant man who influenced it more than any other single person.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (May 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555535194
• ISBN-13: 978-1555535193
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #743,837 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on Legge and the great artists of his time., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On and off the record: A memoir of Walter Legge (Paperback)

This is not just a book about Walter Legge, it covers the history of the Renaissance of Recorded Music as well. Each chapter deals with another of the great artists he worked with. He gives his detailed impressions of the person and the artist. A must is the one on Maria Callas, La Divina. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as editor puts everything in perspective with a preface to each chapter. A wonderful book.