Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 344 pages
- Published by: Columbia University Press October 19, 2007
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0231139365
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0231139366
-
Book Dimensions:
9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
- Weighs: 1.3 pounds
From Publishers Weekly
Though best known for his political writings (
Orientalism), Said was also, from 1986 until his death in 2003, the music critic for the
Nation, and this collection draws together reviews from that publication and other magazines. Said had very firm opinions and lashed out against
New York City's classical music scene in the 1980s and early '90s for producing safe but grimly uninteresting performances and repertories. Instead of simply blaming the intellectual cowardice of most contemporary musicians, however, he was able to provide detailed technical critiques of a conductor's handling of a Beethoven symphony or a singer's inadequacies in a Wagnerian role. Glenn Gould's intellectualized style of playing was a source of fascination to the critic, and new biographies or films about the pianist would inevitably draw his attention. Said also writes about his friendship with Daniel Barenboim (who contributes an introduction), which leads to one of the few discussions of Middle Eastern politics; a review of the controversial opera
The Death of Klinghoffer sparks another. For the most part, however, his attention is strictly on the music, and he proves himself to have been astute and passionately engaged.
(Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Review
"These penetrating discussions of music, performance, culture, and human nature are refreshing, enlightening, and definitely not to be tossed aside as yesterday's journalism." --
Booklist"This fine collection by one of the most perceptive music critics of the last half-century is highly recommended." --
Library Journal"[Said] was a thinker of great fervency, and it can make for exciting reading." -- Rachel Beckles Willson,
Times Higher Education Supplement
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