Martin Geck Book order

In the years spanning from 1800 to 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven completed nine symphonies, now considered among the greatest masterpieces of Western music. Yet despite the fact that this time period, located in the wake of the Enlightenment and at the peak of romanticism, was one of rich intellectual exploration and social change, the influence of such threads of thought on Beethoven's work has until now remained hidden beneath the surface of the notes. Beethoven's Symphonies presents a fresh look at the great composer's approach and the ideas that moved him, offering a lively account of the major themes unifying his radically diverse output. Martin Geck opens the book with an enthralling series of cultural, political, and musical motifs that run throughout the symphonies. A leading theme is Beethoven's intense intellectual and emotional engagement with the figure of Napoleon, an engagement that survived even Beethoven's disappointment with Napoleon's decision to be crowned emperor in 1804. Geck also delves into the unique ways in which Beethoven approached beginnings and finales in his symphonies, as well as his innovative use of particular instruments. He then turns to the individual symphonies, tracing elements--a pitch, a chord, a musical theme--that offer a new way of thinking about each work and will make even the most devoted fans of Beethoven admire the symphonies anew. Offering refreshingly inventive readings of the work of one of history's greatest composers, this book shapes a fascinating picture of the symphonies as a cohesive oeuvre and of Beethoven as a master symphonist -- [Publisher description]

Best known for the challenging four-opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung, Richard Wagner (1813–83) was a multifaceted artist—conductor, librettist, theater director, and essayist—who composed some of the most enduring operatic works, including The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, and Tristan and Isolde. His influence on European music is undeniable, but he was also a vocal commentator on the politics and culture of his time, impacting philosophy, literature, theater, and visual arts. Acclaimed biographer Martin Geck presents a unique Wagner biography that balances the technical aspects of his compositions with a broader understanding of aesthetics. Wagner has inspired both passionate admirers and detractors, achieving a mythical status akin to the Valkyries and Viking heroes he depicted. Few scholars possess Geck's depth of knowledge about Wagner and his legacy, as he draws from extensive research and his role as an editor of the Complete Works. Using a variety of sources, including contemporary scholars and Wagner's own writings, Geck examines key ideas in Wagner's life and works, keeping the music at the forefront. He covers major operas, unfinished works, and early dramatic attempts, making this study a landmark exploration of one of music's most significant figures, appealing to opera enthusiasts, Wagnerians, and anti-Wagnerians alike.

Robert Schumann (1810-56) is one of the most important and representative composers of the Romantic era. Here acclaimed biographer martin Geck tells the story of this multifaceted genius, set in the context of the political and social revolutions of his time.

Two hundred and fifty years after his death, Johann Sebastian Bach remains one of the most compelling figures in the history of classical music. In this major study of the composer's life and work, Martin Geck follows the course of Bach's career in rich detail--from his humble beginnings as an organ tuner and self-taught court musician to his role as Kapellmeister and cantor of St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig. Geck explores Bach's relations with the German aristocracy, his position with regard to the Church and contemporary theological debates, his perfectionism, and his role as the devoted head of a large family. The focus in this comprehensive, thoroughly researched book is on the extraordinary work that came of the composer's life. From the Goldberg Variations to the Brandenburg Concertos to the Art of the Fugue, Geck carefully analyzes Bach's innovations in harmony and counterpoint, placing them in the context of European musical and social history. Always fresh and stimulating, this definitive work reintroduces Bach's enormous oeuvre in all its splendor.