The Last Prodigy: A Biography of Erich Wolfgang Korngold

by Brendan G. Carroll

This first full-length biography chronicles Korngold's life and works from his days as a celebrated Wunderkind in imperial Vienna, through his spectacular career as a composer of opera and symphonic works, to his escape from and Nazis to America, where he pioneered the symphonic film score and won two Oscars. The author provides a richly detailed evaluation of the composer, his relationship with the Serialists, his contribution to film music, and his place in music history. The book draws on interviews with many great musicians, singers, actors, writers, and directors, plus legendary figures from Hollywood's golden age, all of whom knew and worked with Korngold. A foreword by the composer's eldest son Ernst Korngold, a comprehensive discography and bibliography, rare illustrations, and a complete list of Korngold's works make this the definitive biography of a remarkable composer.

Genres: Biography, Music

464 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lydia]

Lighter reading for me. Mostly was interested in Korngold the film composer, and I thought it was funny how for the author, every new work was superlative.

[Denis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and well-researched biography of one of the great underrated composers of the XXth Century, who started as a child prodigy in imperial Vienna, composed one of the most successful operas of the twenties, and later became a celebrated Hollywood composer. A fascinating life, and music that, at last, seems to be getting its due. This bio did a lot to help rediscovering this artist, and it brings back to life not only the man, but also his surroundings: Vienna and Hollywood are skillfully depicted.