Book Review
Sep. 24th, 2013 09:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariErich Wolfgang Korngold
by Jessica Duchen
Another straightforward biography from the Phaidon 20th Century Composers series, this book provides an interesting look at the relationship between art and film music in the first half of the 20th century. Duchen sympathetically takes us through Korngold's life and career. He began as the child prodigy son of a powerful music critic in Vienna, eventually became and established composer of concert music and opera, made a living arranging Johann Strauss' operettas, and then became a major composer of film music in Hollywood. It was in the latter occupation that Korngold was most groundbreaking and influential, bringing more expansive and serious music to the movies. Through scoring such films as The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood, and Robin Hood, Korngold influenced film composers throughout the rest of the 20th century and beyond. Duchen's book is an able and satisfying look at Korngold and his music.
by Jessica Duchen
Another straightforward biography from the Phaidon 20th Century Composers series, this book provides an interesting look at the relationship between art and film music in the first half of the 20th century. Duchen sympathetically takes us through Korngold's life and career. He began as the child prodigy son of a powerful music critic in Vienna, eventually became and established composer of concert music and opera, made a living arranging Johann Strauss' operettas, and then became a major composer of film music in Hollywood. It was in the latter occupation that Korngold was most groundbreaking and influential, bringing more expansive and serious music to the movies. Through scoring such films as The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood, and Robin Hood, Korngold influenced film composers throughout the rest of the 20th century and beyond. Duchen's book is an able and satisfying look at Korngold and his music.
