The music of the Dutch composer Alphons Diepenbrock (1862-1921) is one of the glories of European late-Romantic culture, although is hardly known outside his native Netherlands. This translation makes Leo Samama's masterly study of Diepenbrock available to non-Dutch readers for the first time. The music of Alphons Diepenbrock (1862-1921) is one of the glories of European late-Romantic culture. But it is hardly known outside his native Netherlands - a situation this book hopes to change. Diepenbrock's life and his music are deeply intertwined: self-taught as a composer, he was a classics tutor by profession, a Catholic with a fondness for religious mysticism and one of the leading Dutch intellectuals of his day, with Mahler, Schoenberg and Richard Strauss among his circle of friends. In his 'Overture' to this book Robin Holloway describes Diepenbrock's music - most of which involves the voice - as a 'wondrous fusion of Palestrina and Wagner (with Debussy thrown in, and a dash of Mahler)' and praises its 'visionary serenity'. It is that balance between classical clarity and Romantic passion that gives Diepenbrock's compositions their unique character - and their emotional power. Leo Samama's richly illustrated study of Diepenbrock sets him and his music in the context of their times, this translation opening up an important chapter of European history to non-Dutch-speaking readers for the first time.

About the Author
Leo Samama, born in 1951, studied musicology and composition before teaching at the Utrecht Conservatoire, the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and Utrecht University between 1977 and 1992. He was also a critic for several prominent Dutch newspapers and magazines. From 1988 to 1994 he sat on the board of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam as artistic advisor. Beginning in 1994 he was artistic administrator of the Residentie Orkest The Hague and from 2003 general and artistic manager of the famous Netherlands Chamber Choir. As a musicologist, he is best known internationally as an authority on Dutch music; at home, his lectures are streamed to an appreciative audience. He is also a composer, now over one hundred works to his credit; they are increasingly attracting performances, recordings and broadcasts the world around. In 2010 he was knighted as an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau for his contribution to Dutch musical life.


Book Information
ISBN 9780907689614
Author Leo Samama
Format Hardback
Page Count 433
Imprint Toccata Press
Publisher Toccata Press
Weight(grams) 1g