Pianoforte, a Social History of the Piano [Hardcover]

Dieter Hildebrandt (Author), Harriet Goodman (Translator), Anthony Burgess (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1988

According to Dieter Hildebrandt, the piano is a revolutionary figure and its story a grand adventure. One by one, the memorable geniuses make their appearance: Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt. Other highlights include the great piano duels (Bach v. Marchand, Mozart v. Clementi), the dawning era of the concert tour and the music critic, and the obsessions of the leading figures.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hildebrandt, a German journalist, writes the story of the piano in the 19th century as a great adventure, with the instrument itself as the hero. Burgess comments in his introduction that the piano is "clearly an instrument for the expression of a romantic personality." Many such personalities appear here: Beethovenwhose fiery temperament and audacity infuriated his rivals and criticsSchubert, Clara Weick, Liszt, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Anton Rubinstein and the intrepid American Louis Moreau Gottschalk, who brought the piano to the Wild West. Audiences, critics, piano makers, entrepreneurs, music publishers, piano teachers and agents are also part of the dramaa cultural history of the piano with the emotion and passion of the Romantic period. Hildebrandt's spirited writing style, which is ably served in Goodman's translation, brings the tale vividly to life. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

$19.95. music This aptly titled book reflects the 19th-century view of the piano as a romantic "hero," and indeed the instrument generated a great body of music, legendary performers, and an international industry. In short chapters Hildebrandt explores these and other aspects of the piano, including its role in 19th-century novels. While much of the material is familiar from such standards as Arthur Loesser's Men, Women and Pianos and Harold Schonberg's The Great Pianists , Hildebrandt has plumbed some lesser known sources to put together a sensitive, often eloquent account of a fascinating subject. The highly readable translation also merits praise.Susan Kagan, Hunter Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller, Inc.; 1st Am ed edition (June 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807611824
• ISBN-13: 978-0807611821
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,589,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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