Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Renowned pianist Brendel is known for his elegant musicianship. However, his writing is honed with elegance as well. With a scholarly approach, Brendel explores such topics as live recordings, humor in classical music, the complexities of performing Mozart, and the art of programming. He delves into specific compositions by such composers as Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, and Schumann. As an example, his essay on Schumann's ``Scenes of Childhood'' may bring some pianists to the conclusion that their art needs quite a bit of ``growing up.'' Brendel's advice, however, is targeted to himself first. This array of selections was wisely chosen, and continues Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts (Princeton Univ. Pr., 1976) in which he projected some of the work at hand. The publication of the paperback edition of Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts , with a new preface, is also scheduled for this month by Farrar. Music collections will want both of these books.-- Kathleen Spark man, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Brendel's 17 essays, with musical examples, have been taken from lectures, expanded from record jacket notes, or were begun as recital program notes. Each essay is thought-provoking and probing for the knowledgeable musician. Brendel writes incisively on concepts (e.g.,"A Case for Live Recordings"), compositions (e.g., "Liszt's B Minor Sonata"), and composers (e.g., "Beethoven's New Style") that have aroused his curiosity or have been lifelong puzzles to him. From the viewpoint of a world-class performer, he attempts to solve mysteries and describe the deep things of piano music and its performance. The work is an excellent reference source and more: it is a written legacy from one of the great pianist/thinkers of the last half of the 20th century. Following in the steps of other great pianists such as Schnabel and Busoni who have left written documents, Brendel provides the reader with insight into his mind and musical perceptions. This book is highly recommended for all graduate and undergraduate music libraries, together with his first collection of essays (Musical Thoughts & Afterthoughts, CH, Dec'77), now reprinted as a companion to the new volume. -D. L. Patterson, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Booklist Review

Pianist Brendel, the author of Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts (1976), returns to print with a collection of essays on music, composers, and the life and role of the performer. As an acclaimed interpreter of Mozart and Beethoven, Brendel not unexpectedly covers both their solo compositions and their concertos; but he also examines works by Liszt, Schumann, and Busoni. Brendel discusses the art of building a program, champions the cause of live recordings, and examines performance styles, both his own and other pianists'. In a less serious vein, Brendel attacks the problem of not allowing the humor in music through by play-ing certain works with too much solemnity, a topic that allows his natural wit to amuse and instruct his readers. Revealing discourses on both the art and the craft of making music. ~--John Brosnahan