Book Review
Mar. 15th, 2018 08:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariSchumann
by Eric Frederick Jensen
This biography of the composer was nicely balanced between covering the events of Schumann's life and discussing his music. I found the life story sensitively and perceptively told and especially appreciated Jensen's insights into Schumann's history of mental illness and his final decline and death. He really shows what is interesting about Schumann and his music. I just wish he had done better by Clara; most of the time Jensen pretty much ignores her, and when he does include her, he is more often than not critical of her character or actions. His discussion of Schumann's music sits at the sweet spot between descriptive and technical and did what all good writing about music should do: made me want to listen to the works covered. Jensen's prose is also incredibly readable and engaging, making this a very enjoyable book.
by Eric Frederick Jensen
This biography of the composer was nicely balanced between covering the events of Schumann's life and discussing his music. I found the life story sensitively and perceptively told and especially appreciated Jensen's insights into Schumann's history of mental illness and his final decline and death. He really shows what is interesting about Schumann and his music. I just wish he had done better by Clara; most of the time Jensen pretty much ignores her, and when he does include her, he is more often than not critical of her character or actions. His discussion of Schumann's music sits at the sweet spot between descriptive and technical and did what all good writing about music should do: made me want to listen to the works covered. Jensen's prose is also incredibly readable and engaging, making this a very enjoyable book.
