Double Life

by Miklós Rózsa

The author, a successful film composer, shares his experiences in Hollywood as well as the music world

Genres: Music, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming. A real pleasure to read. My only problem with this book was that my used copy had messy underlining in blue ink and unnecessary notes in all caps in the margins, so a funny story would be punctuated by "UGH," "WOW," or "CUTE" by an unknown editor. Please don't write in books...they are meant to be passed along and reread.

[Daniel Winnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I am a professional musician, I barely know the music of Rózsa and it was mere chance that I came upon his autobiography a week or two before I was to play a pops program on which his chariot theme from ‘Ben Hur’ was to be included. Now, I’m excited to view this and other classic films he scored, and to listen to—and hopefully play—some of the concert music he wrote, including apparently a great deal of music for strings.

His book is marvelously conversational and unpretentious, an unexpected delight. Amusing anecdotes abound, and one is given a window into the business of Hollywood during the 1940s to 1960s from a fresh and interesting angle.

Highly recommended for musicians, film buffs, and anyone concerned that their pursuit of a creative life will leave them destitute. (As Rózsa’s example shows, you just might need to be resourceful—and a little bit lucky, too.)

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the honest story of my favorite composer from the golden age of film music!