Overview

Examines the genesis of Ernest Newman's major publications in the context of prevailing intellectual trends in history, criticism and biography. Ernest Newman (1868-1959) left an indelible mark on British musical criticism in a career spanning more than seventy years. His magisterial Life of Richard Wagner, published in four volumes between 1933 and 1946, is regarded as his crowning achievement, but Newman wrote many other influential books and essays on a variety of subjects ranging from early music to Schoenberg. In this book, the geneses of Newman's major publications are examined in thecontext of prevailing intellectual trends in history, criticism and biography. Newman's career as a writer is traced across a wide range of subjects including English and French literature, evolutionary theory and biographical method, and French, German and Russian music. Underpinning many of these works is Newman's preoccupation with rationalism and historical method. By examining particular sets of writings such as composer-biographies and essays from leading newspapers such as the Manchester Guardian and the Sunday Times, this book illustrates the ways in which Newman's work was grounded in late nineteenth-century intellectual paradigms that made him a unique and at times controversial figure. PAUL WATT is Senior Lecturer in Musicology in the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash University.

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9781783271900

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Reviews

[A] well-researched, well-written, well-presented book, drawing upon an impressive bibliography, both musicological and more broadly historiographical. NABMSA REVIEWS Ernest Newman was Wagner's most detailed biographer - and despite the age of his four-volume Life Of Richard Wagner it remains indispensable. Ernest Newman finds himself and his work treated to an equally fine biography by Paul Watt. Well worth your attention. THE WAGNERIAN Delves into the life and writings of Newman, which certainly enlightens any of us.wishing to know more about such a major influential figure in both musical criticism and biography.a very good and stimulating read. BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY NEWSLETTER This excellent and detailed biography demands to be consulted in conjunction with Newman's writings. AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW

This excellent and detailed biography demands to be consulted in conjunction with Newman's writings. AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW

Ernest Newman was Wagner's most detailed biographer - and despite the age of his four-volume Life Of Richard Wagner it remains indispensable. Ernest Newman finds himself and his work treated to an equally fine biography by Paul Watt. Well worth your attention. THE WAGNER JOURNAL Delves into the life and writings of Newman, which certainly enlightens any of us.wishing to know more about such a major influential figure in both musical criticism and biography.a very good and stimulating read. BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY NEWSLETTER This excellent and detailed biography demands to be consulted in conjunction with Newman's writings. AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW

Author Information

PAUL WATT is Adjunct Professor of Musicology in The University of Adelaide. He is the author of Ernest Newman: A Critical Biography (The Boydell Press, 2017) and editor of The Symphonic Poem in Britain, 1850-1950 (with Michael Allis) (The Boydell Press, 2020).

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