Grace Notes for a Year : Stories of Hope, Humor, and Hubris from the World of Classical Music

by Gilliland, Norman

• ISBN13: 9780971509306
• ISBN10: 0971509301
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Univ of Wisconsin Pr

Summary

This irresistible collection of stories is perfect for anyone interested in a fresh perspective on what it means to be a human being who creates art. Grace Notes for a Year sheds light on the fragile and perilous process of inspiration, composition, and performance required to create classical music, whether the final product is a masterpiece or a mess. Each page of the book corresponds to a different day of the year and features a true story about a famous figure in musical history. These delightful anecdotesinspirational, informative, and often hilariousdisprove the myth of the artist as untouchable. Instead, Norman Gilliland exposes in them human vulnerability we can all relate to. From Beethoven to Wagner, these artists suffered from poverty, spent lazy days in bed, had scandalous love affairs, and often failed in their creative endeavors as often as they succeeded.

Author Biography

Norman Gilliland has hosted weekday classical music broadcasts since 1977, beginning in Florida and continuing in Wisconsin. He is the creator of Grace Notes, which has become a daily feature on a number of public radio stations nationwide, and is author of a historical novel, Sand Mansions. He lives in Madison, WI.