Books about Composers and Artists

Believe Your Ears is the memoir of composer Kirke Mechem, whose unorthodox path to music provides a fascinating narrative. Along the way, readers will meet Dimitri Shostakovich, Wallace Stegner, Billie Jean

In this book, Teresa Davidian welcomes readers into the infectious appeal of Debussy's major works to consider how they can still attract and move audiences. In such works as the hauntingly beautiful Clair

This book combines interviews with Opperman's former students with personal essays and reflections from those closest to the master teacher and performer. Gainey explores Opperman's life, pedagogy, and

Leading Tones is a glimpse into several aspects of the musical world by Leonard Slatkin, music director and conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. There are portions devoted to the Slatkin's

An intimate biography of a complex, controversial, and now neglected composer, The Life and Songs of Stephen Foster is an important story about the father of American music. This invaluable portrait of the

Truly great compositions spring, like Athena from Zeus' skull, at the juncture of genius and passion. In Mathilde Wesendonck: Isolde's Dream, author Judith Cabaud calls on a host of heretofore undiscovered

Rimsky-Korsakov: Letters to His Family and Friends is a rare, revealing look at the composer, written by his granddaughter Tatiana. Featuring a wealth of correspondence and photographs from his family's

A complete biography of Stanley Drucker's musical career written by Mitchell Estrin. Recognized by the Guinness World Records for the longest career as a clarinetist, Drucker retired from the New York