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Book Review
Jan. 4th, 2012 10:47 pmThe Life of Haydn
by David Wyn Jones
I don't like Haydn's music; despite my best efforts, I have never been able to warm up to his work. However, he is a composer of major importance, so I felt like I should know a little bit more about him. This biography turned out to be ideal for my purposes - plenty of information and useful discussion, but not too long or involved. Jones is really good at contextualizing a composer's life and work, and that was real asset here. Not only did I learn a lot about Haydn, I also got a good picture of musical life in Vienna and London during the last half of the 18th century, and what it meant to work at the courts of the nobility. Reading about Haydn turned out to be more interesting than listening to his music.
by David Wyn Jones
I don't like Haydn's music; despite my best efforts, I have never been able to warm up to his work. However, he is a composer of major importance, so I felt like I should know a little bit more about him. This biography turned out to be ideal for my purposes - plenty of information and useful discussion, but not too long or involved. Jones is really good at contextualizing a composer's life and work, and that was real asset here. Not only did I learn a lot about Haydn, I also got a good picture of musical life in Vienna and London during the last half of the 18th century, and what it meant to work at the courts of the nobility. Reading about Haydn turned out to be more interesting than listening to his music.
