Forgive the blatant self-promotion, but the opportunity is too good to resist…


New from Yale University Press · published September 2007

SIBELIUS
by Andrew Barnett

‘Andrew Barnett is unfailingly perceptive and has the ability to engage the interest of both the less in­formed and the more expert reader. I do not know of any­one better qualified to undertake a new book on the Finnish master.’ – Robert Layton, author of Sibe­lius (Master Musicians Series)

‘Andrew Barnett is a true Sibe­lian! I have often witnessed at first hand his en­cyclopedic knowledge and his deep understanding of the music of my homeland's greatest composer.’ – Osmo Vänskä (chief conductor, Lahti Symphony Orch­estra & music director, Minnesota Orchestra)

'Andrew Barnett's attention to detail is both meticulous and unfussy. His book on Sibelius will no doubt prove to be as readable as it will be informative and the complexities of the great composer will be revealed in a thought provoking, yet effortless style.' – Mark Wigglesworth



From YUP promotional material:

The most balanced and complete biography of Sibelius to date, published on the 50th anniversary of the great composer’s death.
Informed by a wealth of information that has come to light in recent years, this engaging biography tells the complete story of the life and musical work Jean Sibelius. Drawing on Sibelius’s own correspondence and diaries, contemporary reviews, and the remarks of family and friends, the book presents a rich account of the events of the musician’s life. In addition, this volume is the first to set every work and performable fragment by Sibelius in its historical and musical context. Filling a significant gap, the biography also provides the first accurate information about much of the composer’s early music.

Writing for the general music-lover, Andrew Barnett combines his own extensive knowledge of Sibelius’s music with the insights of other scholars and musicians. He lays to rest a number of myths and un­truths – that Sibelius wrote no chamber music of value, for example, and that he stopped composing in 1926 and didn’t need to compose to earn a living. Barnett completes the volume with the most thorough worklist available and an authoritative chronology of Sibelius’s entire output.

448 pp
£ 25.00
ISBN 978-0-300-11159-0

To order Andrew Barnett’s biography Sibelius from Yale University Press:
In Europe, please call +44 (0)20 7079 4900 or email

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In USA and Canada, please call 1 800 405 1619 or email

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Congratulations! I can't wait to read it.

I absolutely cannot wait for this book, and for the ensuing discussions about it here!

I am SOOO looking forward to get that on me old hands...
Bravo!

Andrew, I know that every member of the UK Sibelius society will be looking forward to your new Biography. As chairman of the society for many years, your knowledge and enthusiasm for Sibelius and his music has been an inspiration. If I might mention just one piece of your work from the society News letter over the years, it would be your remarkably lucid article [issue39, Aug. 1997] in which you discussed the history and compared the different versions of the fifth symphony, in short a brilliant analysis of the work that I have returned to time and time again. So roll on your new Biography.--kullervopete.

Congratulations!

!!

dj

It has arrived! - and (at the risk of blowing my own trumpet again) here I am presenting a copy to Osmo Vänskä at the pre-concert talk just before the last concert of the Sibelius Festival in Lahti on Saturday 8th September 2007.

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Andrew B, that's a fantastic picture, thanks so much for sharing it with us here.

P.S. Will the book come out in Finnish as well?

No firm plans for any translations yet. Most potential buyers in Finland can probably read English anyway… open to offers, of course! One market that would most definitely need a translation - but which I would be keen to try - is Japan. Fingers crossed!

Kurkikohtaus is now in possesion of the greatest book on either side of the iron curtain!

445 pages (including index) of unadulterated Sibelian Fun!

I am performing Karelia Suite on Friday September 21st 2007 with the ZSO (Czech out our new website in my sig...), so off I go to page 85... yipee!

Wow. I can't wait to buy this (and I can guarantee that I will)!!! Excellent job, now I don't have to be digging around for that Finnish four-volume thing that I can't find for my life (yet)! Thank you!

You're welcome! I hope you will enjoy it.

It's strange: a few reviewers have been offended that I discuss the smaller works as well as their own 'favourites'. I find it pretty sad that these critics won't even allow a fair and factual presentation of works with which they are evidently unfamiliar. Nobody would deny that there are many trivial works in Sibelius's output, but they (almost) all bear the stamp of his genius somewhere, if you have the patience to look. As it is, it's as if some critics don't want to look beneath the surface... but that's life, and if they won't take the trouble - or don't have the breadth of appreciation - to enjoy the smaller works. it's their loss.

Andrew B wrote:

... a few reviewers ... these critics ... some critics ...

First of all, I wouldn't be at all surprised if these "reviewers" hadn't actually read the book thoroughly. Secondly, who was it that said something about critics and statues?

Yes, you might be right. One took me to task for not mentioning Parsifal - although hey! I not only mention it but also quote Sibb's reaction to it. I thought it was pretty bad form for a reviewer to blurt out a criticism that is so blatantly untrue.