Marc Blitzstein was one of the 20th century's most important
American composers, lyricists, and critics, often credited with
having virtually invented opera in the American vernacular. Called
the father of American opera in the vernacular by luminaries Aaron
Copland and Leonard Bernstein, Blitzstein was a masterful pianist,
coach, and accompanist, though, ironically, he made more money on
the lyrics to one song--(Mack the Knife from his
adaptation/translation of Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera)
than on everything else he ever did. Blitzstein's brilliant career
was cut short in 1964 when he died at the age of 58. Beginning with
a family tree and a list of works by his wife, Eva Goldbeck, this
book catalogs Blitzstein's own writings and writings about him,
followed by detailed listings (chronological, alphabetical, and
genre), analysis, a comprehensive performance history, and
summaries of all known critiques of his 128 original musical works
and 18 texts set to music of others. This is followed by a complete
discography/videography (commercial and private), and an index of
names and organizations. Shown in detail are the ways in which
Blitzstein took music from his earlier works and developed it in
later works, a process that Lehrman utilized in completing (with
Bernstein's and the Estate's approval) 20 Blitzstein works for
performance, including The Cradle Will Rock, I've Got the Tune, No
for an Answer, Idiots First, and Sacco and Vanzetti, which
Blitzstein believed would be his magnum opus. The book provides a
unique and full perspective on the works of one of America's
greatest composers--one who deserves to be better known.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!