Description
Awarded the legion d'Honneur by the French government in 2006 for his services to French culture, acclaimed writer and broadcaster Roger Nichols invites the reader to accompany him on his journey through the century-and-a-half turbulent and fertile period in the history of French music from Berlioz to Boulez. In compiling his collection of articles, interviews, radio plays and talks, Nichols begins with Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique and ends with his obituary of Pierre Boulez. Along the way, he includes in-depth studies of Debussy and Ravel, connecting the two by a comparison of their operatic masterpieces, Pelleas et Melisande and l'Enfant et les sortileges. Twenty other significant composers from this fascinating period come in for Nichols' hallmark combination of erudition and wit.
About the Author
After studying music at Oxford with Edmund Rubbra and Frederick Sternfeld, Roger Nichols taught in schools and universities until 1980, when he became a freelance author, reviewer, translator, editor, lecturer, broadcaster and pianist. He began broadcasting for BBC Radio 3 in 1976, mainly on French music since 1820. His radio series The Harlequin Years, on music in Paris from 1917 to 1929, formed the basis of a book of the same title. Other publications include biographies of Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc. His editions of French music with Peters Edition of London include most of Ravel's piano music and the complete Duparc songs. In 2006 he was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur for services to French culture. Since 2007 he has contributed articles and reviews to BBC Music magazine.
Reviews
Book of the Year 2022 - Presto Music AwardsFor years Nichols has been a regular contributor to music magazines, learned journals and symposia: and his latest book, From Berlioz to Boulez is an invaluable collection of these writings, covering almost two centuries of French musical life. For anyone interested in French music, this book is the perfect companion. For those acquiring the interest, it is a comprehensive primer, written by an absolute master. - Simon Heffer - The Daily Telegraph Nichols's prose throughout is elegant and concise, compassionate and witty, which allows him both to dig deep into complex subjects with detailed clarity and provide us with superb sketches of composers such as Lalo, Magnard and Schmitt, condensing lives, personalities and achievements in the briefest of spaces. It all adds up to a lovely book that encapsulates a lifetime's enthusiasm and understanding, and above all sends you back to the music itself with renewed insight and wonder. - Tim Ashley - Gramophone From Berlioz to Boulez truly takes you over a span of some 150 years - from the late Romantic to the Modern - all through the work of the greatest composers in France. Roger Nichols tracks trends, he follows friendships, notes where enemies were made, and places us in the middle of the most exciting periods in the development of music in France. We cannot recommend this book highly enough. - Maureen Buja - Interlude.hk This is a book to be savoured slowly like a fine wine. A work to relish and to linger over for a lifetime. It can be dipped into rewardingly but read from cover to cover, it is an enthralling chronicle of a turbulent and fertile period in the history of French music, from Berlioz to Boulez. - Jeremy Sams ...an engagingly-written style combined with authoritatively-researched content that is both entertaining to read and highly informative... - Book of the Year - Presto Music Awards 2022
Awards
Winner of Book of the Year - Presto Music 2022.
Book Information
ISBN 9780995757479
Author Roger Nichols
Format Hardback
Page Count 392
Imprint Kahn & Averill
Publisher Kahn & Averill
Weight(grams) 820g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 33mm
About the Author
After studying music at Oxford with Edmund Rubbra and Frederick Sternfeld, Roger Nichols taught in schools and universities until 1980, when he became a freelance author, reviewer, translator, editor, lecturer, broadcaster and pianist. He began broadcasting for BBC Radio 3 in 1976, mainly on French music since 1820. His radio series The Harlequin Years, on music in Paris from 1917 to 1929, formed the basis of a book of the same title. Other publications include biographies of Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc. His editions of French music with Peters Edition of London include most of Ravel's piano music and the complete Duparc songs. In 2006 he was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur for services to French culture. Since 2007 he has contributed articles and reviews to BBC Music magazine.
Reviews
Book of the Year 2022 - Presto Music AwardsFor years Nichols has been a regular contributor to music magazines, learned journals and symposia: and his latest book, From Berlioz to Boulez is an invaluable collection of these writings, covering almost two centuries of French musical life. For anyone interested in French music, this book is the perfect companion. For those acquiring the interest, it is a comprehensive primer, written by an absolute master. - Simon Heffer - The Daily Telegraph Nichols's prose throughout is elegant and concise, compassionate and witty, which allows him both to dig deep into complex subjects with detailed clarity and provide us with superb sketches of composers such as Lalo, Magnard and Schmitt, condensing lives, personalities and achievements in the briefest of spaces. It all adds up to a lovely book that encapsulates a lifetime's enthusiasm and understanding, and above all sends you back to the music itself with renewed insight and wonder. - Tim Ashley - Gramophone From Berlioz to Boulez truly takes you over a span of some 150 years - from the late Romantic to the Modern - all through the work of the greatest composers in France. Roger Nichols tracks trends, he follows friendships, notes where enemies were made, and places us in the middle of the most exciting periods in the development of music in France. We cannot recommend this book highly enough. - Maureen Buja - Interlude.hk This is a book to be savoured slowly like a fine wine. A work to relish and to linger over for a lifetime. It can be dipped into rewardingly but read from cover to cover, it is an enthralling chronicle of a turbulent and fertile period in the history of French music, from Berlioz to Boulez. - Jeremy Sams ...an engagingly-written style combined with authoritatively-researched content that is both entertaining to read and highly informative... - Book of the Year - Presto Music Awards 2022
Awards
Winner of Book of the Year - Presto Music 2022.
Book Information
ISBN 9780995757479
Author Roger Nichols
Format Hardback
Page Count 392
Imprint Kahn & Averill
Publisher Kahn & Averill
Weight(grams) 820g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 33mm
