In what he called the "dry letters of the alphabet-" the letters of Beethoven are the principal nonmusical expression of his personality. This collection features 457 of Beethoven's most candid letters dealing with such topics as his deafness- his declining health- other composers and their influence- and his own work. Includes 15 illustrations.

Nearly 300 letters reveal Chopin as both man and artist and illuminate his fascinating world — Europe of the 1830s and 1840s. "They abound in delightful gossip- are merry rather than malicious- are engagingly witty- and at times their humor becomes positively Rabelaisian." — Books. Preface. Index.

A practicing musician and professor of music offers the first work in English to comprehensively survey the development of solo keyboard works. Gillespie discusses 350 composers and their works for harpsichord and piano- including Bach- Handel- Mozart- Beethoven- and Debussy. Includes 116 musical examples- illustrations- and a glossary of musical te…