See Naples

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Forty years ago, Naples was as much a ``moveable feast'' to composer and harpsichordist Allanbrook as Paris was in the '20s and '30s to a host of writers and artists. His first experience of it was as a sergeant in WWII, his next as a two-year resident on a music fellowship during the early '50s. His recollections of both are sharp, graceful, filled with affection and vivid evocations. Of the first, he recalls the dangers and escapes from Monte Cassino to the Dolomites, and comrades lost. Of the second, he remembers his daily life amongst the Neapolitans, the places he lived, his landladies, the friends he made, the sensuous beauty and glittering history of the old city and, above all, his love affairs with two Italian women, one of whom he married. Allanbrook not only came to know Naples intimately but jaunted energetically to its surrounding castles, palaces and monuments, climbed mountains and bicycled giddily throughout the region. Visiting him were other Americans-musicians, writers, artists and critics, many of whom were to become famous, whose youthful creative juices were stimulated by this legendary place. (Sept.)