Synopsis
This award-winning book, now available in paperback, is the first solid appraisal of the legendary career of the eminent Hungarian-born conductor Fritz Reiner (1888-1963). Personally enigmatic and often described as difficult to work with, he was nevertheless renowned for the dynamic galvanization of the orchestras he led, a nearly unrivaled technical ability, and high professional standards. Reiner's influence in the United States began in the early 1920s and lasted until his death. Reiner was also deeply committed to serious music in American life, especially through the promotion of new scores. In Fritz Reiner, Maestro and Martinet, Kenneth Morgan paints a very real portrait of a man who was both his own worst enemy and one of the true titans of his profession.
Library Journal
Fritz Reiner (1888-1963) remains a legend in the musical world for his crisp, almost minuscule conducting gestures, his brilliant musical insight, and his rigid control over performers. Morgan (history, Brunel Univ., UK) charts Reiner's career step by step from his early education in Hungary through his rise as an opera and orchestra conductor in Europe and the United States. Though many anecdotes are included, Morgan's approach is clearly academic and admirably so. The book is so full of documented facts that readers will be convinced upon finishing that there is nothing more to discover about Reiner's life or career. The exhaustive CD discography lists recordings by orchestras and other groups that Reiner conducted and will be welcomed by his fans. Those wishing for a more chatty biography should consult Philip Hart's Fritz Reiner: A Biography. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries.-Timothy J. McGee, Hastings, Ont. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.