Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

When the Norwegian composer Christian Sinding introduced his young friend Frederick Delius (1862-1934) to Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) in Leipzig in 1887, it was to be a memorable occasion for each of them. Delius in particular was later to write of this first meeting with Grieg with great fondness and affection: 'I was very proud of having made his acquaintance, for since I was a little boy I had loved his music. I had as a child always been accustomed to Mozart and Beethoven and when I first heard Grieg it was as if a breath of mountain air had come to me.'. It was, for both men, the beginning of a long and deep personal friendship that, despite the inevitable vissitudes of time, survived until death was to claim each of them. Of all Grieg's English friends, Delius was by far the closest; and Grieg, in turn, played an important role in Delius's development both as a man and a composer. A contributory factor to their friendship was Delius's profound commitment to and interest in Norway even before he met Grieg. Throughout his life he was drawn to Norway's breathtaking landscape, its literature, its art and the character of its people. Much the larger part of many letters exchanged between Edvard and Nina Grieg and Frederick Delius, usually conducted in German, has remained unpublished until today. Now, for the first time, the entire correspondence, with the fascinating insights which it offers into some extraordinary lives, has been brought together and arranged in chronological order and widely commented upon. Dr Lionel Carley, adviser and archivist to the Delius Trust and author of four books on Delius, has thus created a biographical double portrait. As well as revealing a wealth ofopinions and comments upon the music and manners of their contemporaries and a varied discussion of the many problems involved in the labours of composition, Grieg and Delius offer a singular number of glimpses into their deep,

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Carley, adviser and archivist to the Delius Trust and author of four books on the English composer (e.g., Delius: A Life in Pictures , Oxford Univ. Pr., 1977), here collects, translates, edits, and extensively annotates all the known correspondence between Delius and noted Norwegian composer Grieg. The letters chronicle Delius's early career especially well and highlight the friendship between the two musicians, also revealing the pair's artistic views and sometimes conflicting philosophies of life. Though this book is readable and well organized, and both the letters and Carley's annotations are highly interesting and informative, the scope of the correspondence limits the general usefulness of the book. For serious music collections.-- James E. Perone, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Little has been written about the strong friendship between the mature Edvard Grieg and the youthful Frederick Delius, a friendship that began in Leipzig in 1887 while Delius was a student at the Conservatory there. This valuable book includes their entire surviving correspondence until Grieg's death in 1907 and continues with correspondence between his wife, Nina Grieg, and Delius (and wife Jelka) until Nina's death in 1935. Carley has provided an introduction, interspersed commentary, footnotes, and a postlude that smoothly tie the letters into a fascinating narrative full of important information about the composers' lives, musical problems, and triumphs. The open, relaxed communication in the letters conveys the deep warmth of the Deluis-Grieg friendship. The importance of Delius's connection to Norway--for the many famous Norwegians he knew (composers Christian Sinding, Johan Halvorsen, and Iver Holter; writers Knut Hamsun, Bj/ornstjerne Bj/ornson, Jonas Lie, and Gunnar Heiberg; artists Edvard Munch and Christian Krohg) and for Delius's own composing style--is presented here in new and illuminating detail. Carley's translations and his commentary are written in stylish, readable English. An excellent book, recommended for all libraries, suitable for all levels. C. Cai; Kenyon College