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JOSEPH HAYDN by H. E. Jacob

JOSEPH HAYDN

By

Pub Date: Jan. 26th, 1949
Publisher: Rinehart

A long, exhaustive biography of the Austrian wheelwright's son who, in his long life, won an unprecedented place in musical history. For Haydn, of rather pedestrian character, spanned, a long day, knew the provinces as well as the courts, and, at an old age, found further fame in England. This offers a somewhat dogmatic picture, but never separates the man from his music since one interprets the other. It follows the course of his artistic career, the influences he knew -- and the influence he had -; it gives an intimate story of his personal affairs, his not too happy marriage, his love for the Italian singer, his female conquests in England; it schedules the reforms in music for which he was responsible and thoroughly inquires into his symphonies, orchestrations, quartets, folk music and opera. A biography for the student of music as well as the intelligent follower, this should have a place, in a field not too overcrowded.