Richard Strauss: Man, Musican, Enigma

Description:
This book re-evaluates a figure whom the author considers to be the greatest composer of the twentieth century. Kennedy deals fully with Strauss's life as leading composer and national figure in the Third Reich, during which he was both feted and cold-shouldered by the authorities. In putting this period into perspective he draws heavily on hitherto ignored material, including Strauss's own letters and diaries. In addition he reveals much about Strauss's long, happy but tempestuous marriage to the soprano Pauline de Ahna as well as tracing the important relationships to his librettists Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Stefan Zweig, Joseph Gregor and Clemens Krauss. Kennedy reassesses the man and the music, revealing a picture of a level-headed, practical and extremely versatile musician - a great conductor as well as a great composer.

Review:
'Mr Kennedy's new biography of Strauss is certain to become the standard work, shaping the interpretations of a whole generation of Strauss's scholars (and ordinary music lovers) to come.' Sunday Telegraph 'One of the many merits of this excellently researched book is that it pinpoints the centrality to Strauss of his family life ... It is worth reading ... not only for its jaunty style, but also for the integrity with which it provides even discreditable information about its protagonist.' Gerald Kaufman, Daily Telegraph 'Although Kennedy refrains from detailed musical analysis, he is always interesting, if sometimes controversial, in his evaluation of Strauss's most important works and evangelical on behalf of his lesser known ones ... Kennedy's book is an important and absorbing contribution to the continuing Strauss debate.' Hugh Canning, Sunday Times 'Michael Kennedy has written a fine work, which I believe will be the benchmark for all future biographies of Richard Strauss.' Literary Review 'Written in an elegantly accessible style, this is the most valuable book on Strauss and his music to have appeared in English.' Charles Osborne, BBC Music Magazine '... his is one of the best balanced and most intelligent presentations of a composer's work I have ever encountered.' The Observer 'This is a highly enjoyable book. Kennedy gives a sensitive and judicious account of Strauss's life ...' The Musical Times '... majestic and beautifully written study ... Here is a major contribution to musical literature at the highest level.' Musical Opinion '... his abiding love of the subject and his gift for sane human judgements persistently edge us closer to the truth of the enigma that was Strauss.' Gramaphone '... by virtue of his thoroughness and passion for the subject, Kennedy has given us even cause to celebrate Strauss ...' Opera News 'Lord Harewood, the former chairman of English National Opera, reckons Kennedy's 'measured, accurate and penetrating championing' of Strauss to be his finest achievment, 'Strauss was, in some quarters, reviled, and Michael corrected that. He's not just a critic, but an excellent historian'.' The Sunday Telegraph

Table of Contents:
List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. 1864-1898: Youth in Munich: 1. The family; 2. Wunderkind; 3. Growing up; 4. Meiningen; 5. Third conductor; 6. Dora and Weimar; 7. First failure; 8. Engagement; 9. Pauline; 10. The tone-poet; Part II. 1898-1918: The Berlin Years: 11. At the Kaiser's court; 12. Enter Hofmannsthal; 13. The Ariadne crisis; 14. Twentieth-century Offenbach; Part III. 1918-1933: Out of Fashion: 15. Vienna; 16. Intermezzo; 17. Helena; 18. Arabella; 19. The gathering storm; Part IV. 1933-1949: The Dark Years: 20. Taking Walter's place; 21. The Reich chamber; 22. Dismissal; 23. Working with Gregor; 24. Danae and Madeleine; 25. After Capriccio; 26. Eightieth birthday; 27. Metamorphosen; 28. 'I am Richard Strauss ...'; 29. The exile; 30. London; 31. Last songs; 32. Return to Garmisch; Appendices; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.