After Beethoven: Imperatives of Originality in the Symphony and Art

Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading
Review: A worthy follow-up to the author's _Wordless Rhetoric_, this book studies 5 pieces in great detail, including a lesser-known cantata by Mendelssohn and Berlioz's _Harold in Italy_. The explorations are devoted and careful, abd remarkably free of scholarly cant. From them, Bonds illuminates much about musical thinking and life in the 19thc. and beyond.

Extremely well written, thoughtful, thought-provoking and intelligent. Much recommended!