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The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr (Penguin Classics)
by E. T. A. HoffmanTomcat Murr is a loveable, self-taught animal who has written his own autobiography. But a printer's error causes his story to be accidentally mixed and spliced with a book about the composer Johannes Kreisler. As the two versions break off and alternate at dramatic moments, two wildly different characters emerge from the confusion - Murr, the confident scholar, lover, carouser and brawler, and the moody, hypochondriac genius Kreisler. In his exuberant and bizarre novel, Hoffmann brilliantly evokes the fantastic, the ridiculous and the sublime within the humdrum bustle of daily life, making The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr (1820-22) one of the funniest and strangest novels of the nineteenth century.
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography
by Benjamin Zephaniah*BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week* Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it all: the story of his life. In the early 1980s when punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Benjamin&’s poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations and on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, and to popularise it by reaching people who didn&’t read books. His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant. By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the world (a feat which he achieved in only one year) and he hasn&’t stopped performing and touring since. Nelson Mandela, after hearing Benjamin&’s tribute to him while he was in prison, requested an introduction to the poet that grew into a lifelong relationship, inspiring Benjamin&’s work with children in South Africa. Benjamin would also go on to be the first artist to record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela.The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.
The Life and Twelve-Note Music of Nikos Skalkottas: A Study Of His Life And Twelve-note Compositional Technique
by Eva MantzouraniNikos Skalkottas is perhaps the last great 'undiscovered' composer of the twentieth century. In the 1920s he was a promising young violinist and composer in Berlin, and a student of Schoenberg, who included him among his most gifted pupils. It was only after his return to Greece in 1933 that Skalkottas became an anonymous and obscure figure, working in complete isolation until his death in 1949. Most of his works remained unpublished and unperformed during his lifetime, and although he is largely known for his folkloristic tonal pieces, Skalkottas in fact concentrated predominantly on developing an idiosyncratic dodecaphonic musical language. Eva Mantzourani provides here a comprehensive study of this fascinating yet under-researched composer. The book, lavishly illustrated with musical examples, is divided into three parts. Part I comprises a critical biography that, by drawing extensively on his letters and other writings, reappraises the image of Skalkottas with which we are often presented. The main focus of the book, however, is on Skalkottas's twelve-note compositional processes, since these characterize the majority of his output, and are neither well-known nor fully understood. Part II presents the structural and technical features of his twelve-note technique, particularly the different types of sets and their manipulation, and his approach to musical forms. Part III consists of analytical case studies of several works, presented chronologically, which thus provide a diachronic framework within which Skalkottas's dodecaphonic compositional development can be more effectively viewed. This book underlines Nikos Skalkottas's importance as a composer with a distinctive artistic personality, whose work contributed to the development of twelve-note compositional practice, and who deserves a more significant position within the Western art music canon than that to which he is often assigned.
The Life and Work of William and Philip Hayes: 1708-1777--1738-1797 (Outstanding Dissertations in Music from British Universities)
by Simon HeighesFirst Published in 1996. William and Philip Hayes, father and son, between them occupied the Heather Chair of Music at the University of Oxford for over half a century (1741-97). Although they lived and worked largely outside the mainstream of London's cosmopolitan musical life, their outlook was surprisingly broad. The present study reveals them to have been two of the most important provincial musicians of their age, who as composers contributed to all the main genres of the time except opera.
The Life and Works of Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991)
by Beata Boles?awskaSir Andrzej Panufnik was born in Warsaw and studied in the newly independent Poland in the 1930s, as well as in Vienna and Paris just before the outbreak of the Second World War. During the German occupation he formed a piano duo with his friend and fellow composer Witold Lutoslawski, and they performed in caf�around Warsaw. After the war, Panufnik quickly established himself as a leading Polish composer, and as a conductor he played a significant role in the re-establishment of first the Krak�nd then the Warsaw Philharmonic. Although he was considered Poland�s leading composer for some years after the war, Panufnik was subsequently put under intolerable pressure both musically and politically. Frustrated by the continuing rejection of his compositions and the unending political demands inflicted on him by the country�s post-war Communist regime, he made a daring escape to England in 1954. He briefly became Principal Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a post he relinquished after two years to devote all his time to composition. His works were in demand by major figures such as Leopold Stokowski who conducted the first performances of Sinfonia Elegiaca, Katyn Epitaph and Universal Prayer, Yehudi Menuhin who commissioned the Violin Concerto, Seiji Ozawa in Boston and Sir Georg Solti in Chicago who both commissioned symphonies for the centenaries of their famous orchestras; also Mstislav Rostropovich with the London Symphony Orchestra, who together commissioned the Cello Concerto. Beata Boleslawska has written the first book on the life and artistic output of Panufnik, setting his significance alongside the political and cultural scene of twentieth-century Europe. The account of the composer�s life is based on numerous archival documents, as well as the personal accounts contributed by his family and friends. Panufnik�s compositional style and techniques are also analysed. This book will be of interest not only to those devoted
A Life Apart
by Mariapia VeladianoRebecca's parents were born to very different families. One wealthy, one all but destitute, they were united only by their striking mutual beauty. But the sole child to bless their great romantic fairy tale is a daughter of startling ugliness. The shock of having given birth to such a monster leads the mother to withdraw both herself and her daughter from the world. Only by keeping her child indoors, away from strangers' eyes, can she protect her from their disgust. But against all odds, with a little help from some remarkable friends, Rebecca discovers a talent for music that proves that inner beauty can outshine any other. A Life Apart is an irresistible modern fable that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they don't belong.
A Life Apart
by Mariapia VeladianoRebecca's parents were born to very different families. One wealthy, one all but destitute, they were united only by their striking mutual beauty. But the sole child to bless their great romantic fairy tale is a daughter of startling ugliness. The shock of having given birth to such a monster leads the mother to withdraw both herself and her daughter from the world. Only by keeping her child indoors, away from strangers' eyes, can she protect her from their disgust. But against all odds, with a little help from some remarkable friends, Rebecca discovers a talent for music that proves that inner beauty can outshine any other. A Life Apart is an irresistible modern fable that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they don't belong.
Life between the Keys: The Misadventures of The 5 Browns
by Aaron GriegoThe 5 Browns are a classical music ensemble of three sisters and two brothers— Desirae, Deondra, Melody, Gregory, and Ryan— who perform and record works on five grand pianos. They were the first family of five siblings to enroll simultaneously at New York' s performing arts conservatory, Juilliard, in the school' s 100-year history. With sold-out concerts and screaming fans, The 5 Browns have redefined what it means to be classical musicians. Featuring personal essays from all five siblings, Life between the Keys chronicles their journey from obscurity to stardom, from childhood piano competitions to cutthroat practice rooms at Juilliard and wide acclaim on the international stage. In their own words, these charming, warm, and funny siblings reveal their impressions and memories of living a musical life.
LIFE Bob Dylan: Forever Young
by Editors of LifeBobby Zimmerman pilgrimaged to New York City's Greenwich Village just over a half century ago, seeking to visit his muse Woody Guthrie in the hospital and to launch a music career. He did both, and his first, eponymous album was released precisely 50 years ago. The rest is legend: Dylan the folk hero, Dylan going electric, Dylan and the Band, Dylan and the American ethos. Today, he stands as an always-touring icon. A national institution. It's time to celebrate the remarkable life of Bobby Zimmerman of Hibbing, Minnesota. A life in pictures, including shots from those who know him intimately, and knew him in the reclusive years in Woodstock, like Eliot Landy and Bob Cato . LIFE's original coverage of Dylan, Joan Baez and the downtown scene of the early 1960s . Excerpts from Dylan interviews through the years that make the story come alive, and get to the heart of this enigmatic man.
LIFE Bob Dylan
by The Editors of LifeOn the occasion of Bob Dylan becoming the first songwriter to be awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, LIFE presents this updated classic edition of Dylan's illustrious and transformative life. With beautiful and rarely seen photographs and with a deeply engaging narrative the book takes readers from the icon's early days in Minnesota to his emergence onto the New York City folk-rock screen to his rise to the world's most influential singer and poet. There is only one Bob Dylan and through this chronicling of his relationships, his controversial public stances and those unforgettable songs, Dylan comes to life. PLUS: An exclusive appraisal of Dylan's place in the Nobel Prize pantheon.
LIFE Fleetwood Mac: 40 Years Later: John, Christine, Stevie, Mick and Lindsey - Together Again
by The Editors of LifeLIFE Magazine presents a tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
LIFE Gone Too Soon: The 27 Club - Rock Icons Who Died Too Soon
by The Editors of LifeThe story of the 27 club is a one of brilliance: precious, fragile, and amazing to behold. Six musical artists who all happened to die at the same early age-27-did more than perform memorable songs: They expressed ideas and emotions that were shared by enthralled followers from their generations and beyond. The stories of these luminous artist lead to tragic ends. But the lives they led were transformative-to music, to culture, and to countless lives.In Gone Too Soon: The 27 Club, LIFE pulls you into the brief and explosive lives of musicians Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse through photographs and interviews. Read how Hendrix uniquely mashed together blues and rock into a paisley-patterned kaleidoscope of sound, look at images of Cobain's infamous MTV Unplugged special and much more. The legacy of these artists still lives and breathes onstage, embodied by musicians who looked to these icons for inspiration.
LIFE The Grateful Dead
by The Editors of LIFEThe editors of LIFE Magazine present The Grateful Dead.
Life In Technicolor: A Celebration Of Coldplay
by Debs Wild Malcom CroftColdplay's unique sound has captured the hearts of the world time and time again. From melancholic, thoughtful melodies to energetic thumping bass lines, Coldplay's musical range is a large part of their popularity, allowing them to appeal to all manner of fans, from young to old. <p><p> Written by Debs Wild, the A&R executive who discovered Coldplay, and former music journalist Malcolm Croft, who have known and worked with the band intimately over twenty years, this book provides unparalleled access into the inner workings of the musicians' world, including rehearsals, early club gigs, and candid backstage moments over their career including their 2017 global sensation tour, A Head Full of Dreams. <p> Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay delves deep into the band's popularity, analyzing their career album by album and giving previously unknown insights into Coldplay's creative process. With hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs that have never been published before, Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay is the perfect companion for any fan of the band's fantastic music.
Life, Interrupted
by James McconnelJames McConnel always felt like a ‘nearly’ person. Alienated and bullied at school, playing music was the only time James felt in control. But as his piano playing skills developed, so did a bewildering array of strange compulsions. Initially the jerking, coughing, grunting, repeating, tapping, sniffing and counting, was dismissed as a ‘funny little habit’. But it was clearly much more than that. Touching, humorous and intimate, LIFE, INTERRUPTED is the astonishing story of one man’s journey to self-acceptance.
Life, Interrupted
by James McconnelJames McConnel always felt like a ‘nearly’ person. Alienated and bullied at school, playing music was the only time James felt in control. But as his piano playing skills developed, so did a bewildering array of strange compulsions. Initially the jerking, coughing, grunting, repeating, tapping, sniffing and counting, was dismissed as a ‘funny little habit’. But it was clearly much more than that. Touching, humorous and intimate, LIFE, INTERRUPTED is the astonishing story of one man’s journey to self-acceptance.
Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett
by Tony BennettA moving and inspiring memoir from one of the greatest musical artists of all time"My given name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto, and Benedetto in Italian means 'the blessed one.' I couldn't say it any better than that."—Tony BennettLegendary singer, artist, and performer, Tony Bennett has been one of the world's most beloved entertainers for more than six decades. From the 78 to the LP to the digital age, Tony has done it all and is still at the top of his game. In decade after decade, this artistic icon—who has won seventeen Grammys, sung for ten presidents, and performed for royalty—has refused to compromise his vision or values. His unwavering commitment to quality has helped him stay true to his classic sound and is the reason his music continues to endure. Mentored by such legends as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, Bennett has only gotten better with age, and his popularity continues to grow as each new generation discovers his timeless songs and incredible voice.In this entertaining and thoughtful memoir, a collection of soulful reflections and philosophies from his life and career, Bennett shares stories of friends and family and the essential lessons they have taught him: of the value of hard work and of creating art that continues to inspire; of perseverance and a dedication to excellence; of the necessity of humility, love, respect, and, most important, gratitude. Bennett cherishes the passion and insatiable thirst for knowledge that have shaped his life and made each day a journey of discovery. He pays tribute to all the remarkable talents he has had the honor to work with and to learn from, including Luciano Pavarotti, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, David Hockney, and k.d. lang, to name just a few.A magnificent testament to an extraordinary man and his art, and illustrated with Tony Bennett's own beautiful hand-drawn artwork, Life Is a Gift is a work that will captivate, delight, and be cherished by music lovers of all ages.
Life Is Not a Fairy Tale
by FantasiaFANTASIA tells of her astonishing rise from hopeless high school dropout to American Idol superstar in the inspirational New York Times bestseller Life Is Not a Fairy Tale In one moment, with one tearful performance of "Summertime," the nineteen-year-old Fantasia captured the hearts -- and the votes -- of millions of American Idol fans. Her powerful voice and independent style made her an overnight national sensation. But life wasn't always sensational for Fantasia. At the age of seventeen, despite the promise of her extraordinary voice, Fantasia was in danger of becoming just another sad statistic: an uneducated, unmarried teenage mother living in the projects. But Fantasia had been raised by two strong, influential women: Both her grandmother and mother are preachers, and she was raised with an unshakable faith. In Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, Fantasia speaks -- with a spirit as strong as her voice -- about what it takes to believe in the power of one's self. She turns all that she's learned into uplifting life lessons, including: Recognize your gift You made your bed, now lie in it Give props where props are due Like mother, like daughter It ain't about the bling Fantasia keeps it real with her sassy, self-confident style and down-to-earth advice, making readers laugh and cry with her. Life Is Not a Fairy Tale is more than just a celebrity success story. It's a book of revelations that will inspire all readers to reach for their greatest potential.
Life Is A Rollercoaster
by Ronan Keating'Brilliant' OK! 'Engagingly warm' Heat 'Sensational' The Mirror'Ronan Keating demolishes his 'Mr Perfect of Pop image in a new warts-and-all book of his amazing ride to stardom.' The MirrorRonan Keating is a very real idol. In a life-story that received extensive press and ecstatic reviews as 'a classic - honest, funny and gripping', Ronan Keating tells the full story of his incredible journey. He may be only 23 but he has lived an extraordinary life so far, from playing football on a housing estate in North Dublin to headlining Madison Square Garden with Elton John. But Ronan has never forgotten it's his fans that got him there. It's an inspirational story of a boy from modest beginnings who confounded the critics and made his mark with talent, boyish good looks and, above all, an integrity that has helped him move from the teen market to a broader, adult audience. In a surprisingly honest, remarkably frank style he talks openly of his background and his beloved mother, Boyzone's extraordinary catapult to fame, his friends and band-mates and his new solo career and his wife and son. Brimming with anecdote and revelation, this is a brilliantly written book by a true star - Ronan.
LIFE Johnny Cash: An American Legend, 15 Years Later
by The Editors of LIFEFifteen years later, celebrate the great American music legend Johnny Cash with LIFE's special edition. Enjoy rare photograhs as well as family memories from Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash.
Life Lessons from Hip-Hop: 50 Reflections on Creativity, Motivation and Wellbeing
by Grant BrydonTake control of your narrative and become the best version of yourself with 50 Hip-Hop inspired lessons that will motivate a new generation.Grant Brydon has interviewed some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Here he shares the creative directions and tips derived from one-on-one conversations with Pharrell Williams, J Cole, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, and many more. With chapters covering motivation, creativity, authenticity, mental wellbeing, resilience, and more, the advice gleaned from these important artists' life experiences will help you to face up to your own challenges and inspire you to make simple changes that have major positive consequences. Lessons include:- Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer J Cole on how to Define Success.- Grammy award-winning hip-hop- legend Nas on Maintaining Focus on What&’s Important.- A lesson in Committing to Inspiration from Flo Milli, viral TikTok sensation and Best New Artist nominee at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards.- Big Sean on how to Take Time Off and Talk to Someone.- Multiple BET Hip Hop Awards nominee Action Bronson on how not to be discouraged.- Kenny Beats – producer of Vince Staples and Ed Sheeran – on the dangers of overthinking.-Grammy nominated Freddie Gibbs on Integrity.- Hip-hop royalty Pharrell Williams on the importance of always staying curious.- Mac Miller on reinventionAdopt a hip-hop mindset to take control of your own narrative and become the best version of yourself with this book of 50 must-read lessons on creativity and self help that will inspire a new generation. Containing exclusive interviews with billion-streaming artists, including J Cole, Nas, Big Sean, Flo Milli, Action Bronson and many more, alongside contemporary illustrations by Ketu the Artist, which offer a fresh visual take on the self-help genre. This is a must-have volume for fans of hip-hop, alongside individuals with an interest in positive thinking, wellness and self-help. Quotes "Grant Brydon compiles many of the major keys from some of the most prolific voices in hip-hop and draws a through-line to the hearts of their success stories... An entertaining and informative read." ― Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop"A thoughtful collection of essays on hard work and creativity that taps into generous anecdotal wisdom about music and life from an array of personalities in the industry, past and present." ― Lance Scott Walker, author of DJ Screw: A Life In Slow Revolution"A brilliant tapestry of story and artistry by a seasoned journalist whose love for hip-hop flourishes here." ― Ciesay, co-founder of PLACES+FACES
The Life, Music and Thought of Woody Guthrie: A Critical Appraisal (Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series)
by John S. PartingtonWoodrow Wilson Guthrie (1912-67) has had an immense impact on popular culture throughout the world. His folk music brought traditional song from the rural communities of the American southwest to the urban American listener and, through the global influence of American culture, to listeners and musicians alike throughout Europe and the Americas. Similarly, his use of music as a medium of social and political protest has created a new strategy for campaigners in many countries. But Guthrie's music was only one aspect of his multifaceted life. His labour-union activism helped embolden the American working class, and united such distinct groups as the rural poor, the urban proletariat, merchant seamen and military draftees, contributing to the general call for workers' rights during the 1930s and 1940s. As well as penning hundreds of songs (both recorded and unrecorded), Guthrie was also a prolific writer of non-sung prose, writing regularly for the American communist press, producing volumes of autobiographical writings and writing hundreds of letters to family, friends and public figures. Furthermore, beyond music Guthrie also expressed his creative talents through his numerous pen-and-ink sketches, a number of paintings and occasional forays into poetry. This collection provides a rigorous examination of Guthrie's cultural significance and an evaluation of both his contemporary and posthumous impact on American culture and international folk-culture. The volume utilizes the rich resources presented by the Woody Guthrie Foundation.
The Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
by David Cheal Jan DalleyWho knew that Paul McCartney originally referred to Yesterday as 'Scrambled Eggs' because he couldn't think of any lyrics for his heart-breaking tune? Or that Patti LaBelle didn't know what 'Voulez-vous couches avec moi ce soir?' actually meant? These and countless other fascinating back stories of some of our best-known and best-loved songs fill this book, a collection of the highly successful weekly The Life of a Song columns that appear in the FT Weekend every Saturday. Each 600-word piece gives a mini-biography of a single song, from its earliest form (often a spiritual, or a jazz number), through the various covers and changes, often morphing from one genre to another, always focusing on the 'biography' of the song itself while including the many famous artists who have performed or recorded it.The selection covers a wide spectrum of the songs we all know and love - rock, pop, folk, jazz and more. Each piece is pithy, knowledgeable, entertaining, full of anecdotes and surprises. They combine deep musical knowledge with the vivid background of the performers and musicians, and of course the often intriguing social and political background against which the songs were created.