Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

" . . . a rare kind of biography and autobiography: a clear and elegant exposition of fact, as well as a humane portrait of a great piano virtuoso, composer, teacher, and democratic soul, as told to and seen through the eyes of one close to him." ?Mark Mitchell

Ernst von Dohnányi (1877?1960) was one of the most highly respected musicians of his time. The young Dohnányi enjoyed an international prestige that brought him into contact with such 19th-century masters as Johannes Brahms and Eugène d'Albert. He is remembered for his technique and interpretive skills as a pianist and conductor, as well as for the masterpieces he composed for piano, chamber ensembles, and orchestra. As a teacher and administrator, Dohnányi was responsible for the training of an entire generation of musicians in Hungary, and for helping to shape the country's musical culture. After World War II, his career foundered when he was falsely accused of being a Nazi sympathizer. In 1953, at the age of 76, Dohnányi returned to international prominence with a triumphant "re-debut" at Carnegie Hall. Ernst von Dohnányi: A Song of Life, written from a firsthand perspective by Dohnányi's widow, is the first full English-language biography of the artist.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preliminary Table of Contents
• Editor's Preface
• Introduction Prologue 1877-1894
• Chapter 1 1894-1897
• Chapter 2 1897-1905
• Chapter 3 1905-1919
• Chapter 4 1919-1936
• Chapter 5 1937-1944
• Chapter 6 1944-1946
• Chapter 7 1946-1948
• Chapter 8 1948-1949
• Chapter 9 1949-1953
• Epilogue 1954-1960
• Appendix A Selected Correspondence
• Appendix B DohnVnyi's Lectures at Ohio University
• Appendix C Selected Articles
• Appendix D Works List

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

When WW II began, Hungarian-born Dohnanyi (1877-1960) was a world-renowned pianist, composer, and educator. By the end of the war, because of Hungary's alliance with Hitler and the tireless efforts of enemies, Dohnanyi stood accused of being an antisemite and war criminal and his career was destroyed. As a privileged displaced person, he emigrated to Argentina and then in 1949 took a position at Florida State University. Written by the musician's third wife before he died ("everything I have written is true ... he himself approved most of the chapters") and finally published here under the editorial hand of the author of Ernst von Dohnanyi: A Bio-bibliography (CH, Mar'02), this biography is written in a chronological, matter-of-fact style that sometimes obscures important events with trivial detail. But it is nonetheless interesting reading. All is related from Ilona's admittedly biased view; for example, she points out her husband's Christ-like qualities. Indeed, in From Death to Life (1960), the author described her visions and conversations with Christ and the Apostle Paul and her efforts to channel the deceased Dohnanyi. These biases aside, this first biography in English is intriguing and most welcome--regardless of its author's viewpoint--and full of details about this brilliant musician and his time. Highly recommended to all readers. J. L. Patterson University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Ilona von Dohnányi (1909-1988) was a journalist and historical novelist who also wrote biographies of composers Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioacchino Rossini, and Robert and Clara Schumann. Her other books include From Death to Life and Message to Posterity from Ernst von Dohnányi.

James A. Grymes established the Ernst von Dohnányi Collection at Florida State University. The author of Ernst von Dohnányi: A Bio-Bibliography, his research has appeared in such journals as Music Library Association Notes and Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae.