Arthur Bliss (1891–1975) was one of the most important British
musicians of his age. Born into a family where music played a
highly significant role, his talent emerged early. He served with
distinction in the Great War, in which he was both injured and
gassed. After the War he set the musical world alight with
ultra-modern works, earning himself the soubriquet enfant terrible
and leading to his first major work, the Colour Symphony. His dual
American/British birthright led to a close connection with the USA
and marriage to an American girl, Trudy Hoffman, who would be a
mainstay of his life. Before long he became the most performed
British composer abroad and his portfolio of works included ballet,
film (H.G. Wells’s Things to Come remains one of the finest film
scores), opera, orchestral, chamber, choral works and song. He was
a diplomat, a skill that was recognized in many appointments from
the Government to travel using music as soft power, notably to
Russia in 1956. He served as Director of Music at the BBC from
1942–4, was knighted and soon after appointed Master of the
Queen’s Music. Bliss was a private figure who stated that the
only way to get to know him was through his music. Paul Spicer
takes this as his starting point for this pioneering biography,
which underlines the timely importance of a complete reappraisal of
this important composer’s music.
General
Imprint: |
The Crowood Press Ltd
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
June 2023 |
Authors: |
Paul Spicer
|
Dimensions: |
234 x 156 x 25mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
384 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-7198-1633-8 |
Categories: |
Books
Promotions
|
LSN: |
0-7198-1633-5 |
Barcode: |
9780719816338 |
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