Dvořák: Romantic Music's Most Versatile Genius

Unlocking the Masters #5

by David Hurwitz

A New York freelance percussionist/Classical Internet awards founder identifies themes of some 90 works of Dvor k (1841- 1904), going beyond the familiar. Hurwitz includes a timeline of Dvor k's compositions in the context of contemporaneous musical landmarks. Listening guides are grouped by themes both expected (e.g., Slavonic Works, American W

Genres: Music

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

David Hurwitz (born 29 August 1961) is an American music critic and author who specializes in classical music.

Based in New York, he is the founder and executive editor of ClassicsToday.com and frequently reviews recordings there. Hurwitz has published numerous books, primarily guides on specific composers for the Amadeus Press "Unlocking the Masters" series, namely, Mahler, Mozart, Dvořák, Haydn, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Bernstein, Strauss, C. P. E. Bach and Handel. Other publications include an introduction to classical music, two articles on the 19th-century use of vibrato as well as surveys on the symphonies of Beethoven (the 5th and 7th) and Brahms (all four). He was the chairman for the Cannes Classical Awards while it existed from 1994 to 2010.

In 2020 Hurwitz launched a YouTube channel on which he regularly posts video reviews and discographical surveys.

Reviews

[Loesje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twee boeken kort op elkaar over de zelfde componist lezen is een beetje risicovol, maar dit boek is dan geen biografie over het leven van de componist, maar een beschrijving van verschillende van zijn werken. Vond ik zelf wel interessant, maar is wellicht niet voor iedereen weggelegd. Vlot leesbaar maar met gebruik van muzikale termen. Met voldoende aandacht voor vocale werken.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of ~90 of his works; good recommendations on selections to focus on.
Well written, with 2 CD's of selected works.