Richard Strauss
Man, Musician, Enigma

This first detailed biography of Richard Strauss for many years reassesses both man and musician.

Michael Kennedy (Author)

9780521027748, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 November 2006

468 pages, 25 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.682 kg

'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

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 fêted 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.

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.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH]