First published 1991
Norman Lebrecht targets the classical music world's power brokers in this provocative examination. The music critic questions why truly exceptional conductors remain rare while mediocre ones flourish. He traces how conductors transformed from simple timekeepers into globe-trotting celebrities who command enormous salaries and socialize with presidents rather than musicians. Lebrecht delves into conducting's evolution while serving up entertaining stories from the concert hall. He spotlights Ronald Wilford, the influential agent at Columbia Artists Management who shapes the careers of over 100 conductors and wields tremendous influence over classical music programming. The book reveals the industry's inner workings and exposes the personal and professional shortcomings of celebrated maestros from the past century. Lebrecht's irreverent approach angered classical music's elite but illuminated the gap between public image and reality in the conductor's world.
Genres: 20th-century, non-fiction, criticism, 21st-century, classical-music, academic
Vibes: intimate, irreverent, thought-provoking
Tropes: expos, insider-look
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
Hardcover · see notes for publisher info