Synopses & Reviews
The acclaimed biography of Chopin focusing on his 18 years in Paris at the center of a dazzling circle that included Hugo, Balzac, Stendhal, Delacroix, Liszt, Berlioz, and George Sand.
Born in Poland in 1810, Chopin emigrated to Vienna at age eighteen and then to Paris, where from 1831 to 1849 he would spend almost half of his brief and tumultuous life. In Paris his extraordinary powers would reach their height and he would shine among the immensely talented writers, painters, and musicians who were working there and defining their era. Chopin's other acquaintances ranged from Rothschild to Marx and it was here that he began his long and stormy relationship with the novelist George Sand. In Chopin in Paris a New York Times Notable Book Tad Szulc brings to life this complex, contradictory genius, and re-creates an unsurpassed epoch of European history, culture, and music.
Review
"Despite stylistic weaknesses, Szulc's book offers a readable account of the most creative period of Chopin's life and of the many geniuses he rubbed shoulders with. He also gives a particularly fine impression of the startling effect that Chopin the pianist had upon his listeners." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[Szulc's] journalistic experience has stood him in good stead, as has his command of French and Polish....[The book's] strength lies in the way its steady accumulation of detail allows a picture of Chopin to emerge without the need for too much commentary and analysis." Paul Driver, The New York Times Book Review
Review
"At once a biography of the artist and a history of the social setting within which his art emerged....It sheds new light on the man and his milieu." The Los Angeles Times
Review
"[A] detailed and often engrossing picture of Paris at the height of the Romantic era. Szulc expertly reconstructs parties, performances, and holidays featuring the era's most famous artists....[S]ometimes the book suffers from overly nuanced descriptions of events. In the end, Szulc should be applauded for reanimating a fascinating composer and a dynamic era." Ted Leventhal, Booklist
Review
"Liberally supplied quotations add liveliness to the portrait....Szulc concentrates on Chopin's relationships with people, leaving discussions of his music to other writers. He relies heavily on earlier biographies for assessment of Chopin's character but makes some speculative judgments of his own, particularly regarding Chopin's sexuality." Library Journal
Synopsis
Born in Poland in 1810, Chopin emigrated to Vienna at age eighteenand then to Paris, where from 1831 to 1849 he would spend almost half of his brief and tumultuous life. In Paris his extraordinary powers would reach their height and he would shine among the immensely talented writers, painters, and musicians who were working there and defining their era. Chopins other acquaintances ranged from Rothschild to Marxand it was here that he began his long and stormy relationship with the novelist George Sand. In Chopin in Parisa New York Times Notable BookTad Szulc brings to life this complex, contradictory genius, and re-creates an unsurpassed epoch of European history, culture, and music.
Synopsis
First time in paperback: The acclaimed biography of Chopin focusing on his 18 years in Paris at the center of a dazzling circle that included Hugo, Balzac, Stendhal, Delacroix, List, Berlioz, and George Sand.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 417-421) and index.
About the Author
Tad Szulc is a former foreign correspondent and bureau chief for The New York Times. His eighteen books include Pope John Paul II, Fidel A Critical Portrait, and Then and Now the latter two winners of the prestigious Overseas Press Club of America Award.
Table of Contents
Preface 9
Prelude 17
Andante: 1810-1837 25
Rondo: 1837-1847 143
Coda: 1847-1849 347
Postlude 405
Appendix 413
Bibliography 417
Acknowledgments 423
Index 425