"An engaging investigation of the creative process and genetic criticism. These deeply thoughtful essays establish an enviable range, from Mozart through the grand figures of the German nineteenth century (Beethoven, Schumann) and beyond to three seminal figures of the twentieth (Mahler, Bartók, Kurtág). A significant contribution."
Richard Kramer, author of Unfinished Music "Few scholars would be able to deftly navigate through material as diverse as ... Read morethe musical sketches of both Mozart and György Kurtag with the ease, perspective, analytical rigour and insight of Kinderman. A masterly chapter on an unfinished piano trio by Beethoven was no surprise from a scholar well known for his research into the latter’s Diabelli Variations, but other chapters devoted to Schumann, Mahler or Bartók are equally probing. The methodology successfully channels Critique génétique, the French literary subdiscipline devoted to the scientific study of creative process in literature, and the many case studies full of musical excerpts could well be adapted to a classroom setting."
Jonathan Goldman, associate professor of musicology, University of Montreal "A significant contribution to musical scholarship."
Fontes Artis Musicae "The Creative Process in Music from Mozart to Kurtág is a remarkable piece of work in terms of both depth and breadth. William Kinderman has succeeded in weaving analytical and historical perspectives into a compelling discourse about how music is created and what it means. Even more astonishing is the scope of this undertaking. Most sketch-study scholars work within the context of 'their composer.' This book expands that context to embrace the past two hundred years. In so doing, Kinderman has raised the bar for all of us."
Friedemann Sallis, author of Music Sketches "This fascinating study explores the way in which an understanding of a composer's creative process may enhance appreciation and the interpretation of the music. In an introductory chapter Kinderman, an authority of sketch studies . . . traces the arguments surrounding the discipline of what has been termed 'genetic criticism.' The Beethoven chapter . . . is but one of the illuminating case studies in a book rich in musical, historical and interpretative detail and which promises to attract new attention to the growing field of genetic criticism."
Arietta Show Less