I love piano & reading inspiring books. This is one of my favorites - Thanks for the recommendation Ang!
Here's a mini book review I wrote for the Pocatello Music Club newsletter I'm in charge of :
"The study of great composers' lives should be more than an academic exercise. Biography is to inspire, not merely inform" (p. 203)
In this book, Patrick Kavanaugh offers a refreshing glimpse into the lives of 20 different composers including well known names such as Bach & Handel, and lesser known composers such as Elgar & Messiaen.
Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of each composer-their tempers, financial trouble and failures, he highlights the virtuous characteristics of each. The author describes the "verifiable aspects of these mens' lives as they strove for good, sought ot understand God, and found meaningful spiritual purpose in their lives." (p.13)
My favorite part of each chapter is the conclusion in which the author highlights one particularly striking character trait that each composer exemplified. I found each chpater in this book both informative and inspiring. After reading it I felt inspired to be more like the great composers of the past... to have the humility of Haydn, the unselfishness of Ives, the determination of beethoven and the optimism of Mendelssohn.
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