In this important new study Dr Orledge reveals what made Satie 'tick' as a composer, dealing with every aspect of Satie's complex career and relating his achievement to the other arts and to the society in which he lived. Almost every figure in contemporary art was involved with Satie in some way or another, from Matisse and Picasso to Apollinaire, Cocteau and Brancusi. This, however, is no mere life-and-works study but rather an exploration of the technique behind Satie's art, which foreshadowed most of the 'advances' of twentieth-century music from serialism to minimalism, and even muzak. As the book progresses Satie appears as far more than just the composer of the popular Gymnop�dies and Parade.

    A work of consummate structural ingenuity, it combines and transforms four distinctive themes in one long movement, in the free, rhapsodic development characteristic of the symphonic poem.A great favorite of pianists and their audiences, this piano masterpiece is reprinted here from the authoritative Franz Liszt-Stiftung edition published by Breitkopf & Härtel. Included with it are a number of other well-known Liszt compositions. Among these are the six beautiful pieces entitled Consolations; all ten works in the Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, including the popular "Funérailles"; the two Ballades, larger-scale works which require considerable technical prowess; and the two Légendes, "The Sermon to the Birds of St. Francis of Assisi" and "St. Francis of Paola Walking on the Waves."

    Unlike other composer biographies that focus narrowly on the music, this series explores the personal history of eachcomposer and the social context surrounding the music. In a precise, engaging, and authoritative manner, each volume combines a vivid portrait of the master musicians' inspirations, influences, life experiences, even their weaknesses, with an accessible discussion of their work--all in roughly 300pages. Further, each volume offers superb reference material, including a detailed life and times chronology, a complete list of works, a personalia glossary highlighting the important people in the composer's life, and a select bibliography. Under the supervision of music expert and series generaleditor Stanley Sadie, Master Musicians will certainly proceed to delight music scholars, serious musicians, and all music lovers for another hundred years.

    A scholar and lover of literature as well as world-class pianist, Brendel offers in these essays a rare glimpse into the mind of an exceptional performer, wrestling with the duties and pleasures that come with making music.