Book Description
Virgil Thomson is universally recognized as one of the dominant music critics whose unique sensibility was informed by his groundbreaking work as a composer of the mid twentieth-century. Whether writing for a daily newspaper or an academic journal, Thomson brought wit and erudition to a literary form that is often staid. Not suffering fools gladly, unwilling to kowtow to the powers that be, Thomson and his writing remain remarkably relevant and entertaining today. This essential reader includes his essays on making a living as a musician; his articles on classic composers; his relation to his contemporaries; his articles on newcomers in the music world, including John Cage and Pierre Boulez; his autobiographical writings and commentary on his own works. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of America's finest essayists.
What Stanley Kauffmann is to film criticism, Virgil Thomson was to music criticism--with one major difference: Thomson is himself a major artist within his critical area, classical music. While Thomson was one of the significant classical composers of his era, his name is perhaps more famous courtesy of his music criticism, which, like his music, is straightforward, erudite, graceful and concise. From the early 40s until the early 50s, Thomson was the most important music critic writing in English, and this rare collection is the finest compilation ever assembled of his reviews, essays, portraits and memoirs. Thoroughly annotated, this is the best place to start for those interested in acquainting themselves with one the finest essayists in our language. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Best known for an opera he set to Gertrude Stein's text, Four Saints in Three Acts(1934), and for the Pulitzer Prize-winning score of the documentary Louisiana Story (1948), composerVirgil Thomson (1896-1989) was also an unswerving champion of modern American classical musicduring his tenure as the powerful music critic of the New York Herald Tribune (1940-54). Hisworks' tonality, stress on simplicity, and skillful use of traditional American tunes strongly influencedAaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and many others. Lively prose evokes the crusty character of anAmerican original in this enjoyably opinionated biography.Book Description
In this vivid portrayal of a giant in Americantwentieth-century music and criticism, Anthony Tommasini recountsThomson's experiences as a composer, critic, and gay man. Tommasinichronicles Thomson's upbringing in turn-of-the-century Kansas City, alongwith his struggle to accept his sexuality-"I didn't want to be queer"-ashe searched for a place in the wider world through army service in WorldWar I as well as at Harvard and in 1920s Paris. There Thomson studiedwith Nadia Boulanger and formed an artistic alliance with Gertrude Steinthat would result in the pioneering opera Four Saints in Three Acts.Thomson's fourteen-year tenure as chief music critic for the New YorkHerald Tribune showcased his talent for brilliant, biting commentary andestablished him as an influential writer on music and an arbiter ofmusical taste. The result of this involving narrative is a classicAmerican biography of a classic American character. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent overview of Thomson's life
The late composer Virgil Thomson did write an autobiography.However, autobiographies are not often fully honest.Nor do they often capture the essence of the person.Anthony Tommasini has accomplished both tasks.His portrait of Thomson, while certainly uncompromising is neither a scandal volume and it certainly is not hagiographical.He portrays Thomson very much as he was.

At the time when Thomson wrote his autobiography, American attitudes towards homosexuality were less than favourable.His colleague, Henry Cowell had done time at San Quentin Prison for his homosexual relationships with young men.Tommasini very frankly discusses Thomson's many relationships, particularly his long relationship with the painter Maurice Grosser.

Tommasini obviously does hold his subject in high esteem.However, that does not preclude Tommasini's critical look at his subject.He presents us with a portrait of an often irascible composer/critic whose contributions to American musical life have not yet been fully realised.Bernstein's statement on the death of Thomson unfortunately rings true today: 'we loved his music but rarely played it.'Hopefully, those who read Tommasini's work will become more interested in the extraordinary oeuvre of Virgil Thomson.His is a unique voice.Hopefully, it will be recovered. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Proceso, published by CISA Comunicacion e Informacion, S.A. de C.V. on February 1, 1998. The length of the article is 474 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Virgil Thomson, compositor en el pasillo.(TT: Virgil Thomson, Composer in the Hallway)
Author: José Antonio Alcaraz
Publication: Proceso (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 1, 1998
Publisher: CISA Comunicacion e Informacion, S.A. de C.V.
Issue: n1109Page: p55(2)

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Product Description
Brooklyn Philharmonic  Soft Cover  Program with contributors> black and white photos ... Read more