Description
Book SynopsisThis long-awaited study of the life and music of Anglo-Irish composer Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950) finally provides a full biography of the last senior figure in early twentieth-century British Music to have been without one. This long-awaited study of the life and music of Anglo-Irish composer Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950) finally provides a full biography of the last senior figure in early twentieth-century British Music to have been without one. Although Moeran's work was widely performed during his lifetime, he suffered neglect in the years following his death. It was not until a re-awakening of appreciation for the music of the folksong-inspired English pastoralism in the latter part of the twentieth century that Moeran's tuneful, well-crafted and approachable music began to attract a new audience. However, widely accepted misconceptions about his life and character have obscured a clearunderstanding of both man and composer. Written with the benefit of access to previously unknown or unresearched archives, Ernest John Moeran: His Life and Music strips away a hitherto unchallenged mythological framework, and replaces it by a thorough-going examination and analysis of the life and work of a musician that may reasonably be asserted as having been unique in British music history.
Trade ReviewThis is a very human story of a man who produced a small but treasured body of work which transcends the time and manner of its creation... Dr. Maxwell has added a major contribution both to our understanding of Moeran as well as the musical society in which he moved. His writing style is objective and clear. With the precision of a surgeon and the authority of a lawyer he presents facts with supporting evidence, offers a considered interpretation of those facts but ultimately leaves it to the reader to interpret as they see fit.... As compelling a biography as I have read in several years. -- Nick Barnard * MusicWeb International *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Ancestry, Childhood and Education Chapter 1: Irish and Victorian Origins Chapter 2 (1894-1908): Childhood and Early Education Chapter 3 (1908-1912): Uppingham School Chapter 4 (1912-1914): The Music Student Part 2: The First World War Chapter 5 (1914-1917): In the Army Chapter 6 (1917): A Composer Goes to War Chapter 7 (1918): Ireland, and Recovery Part 3: Rise and Fall Chapter 8 (1919-1920): The Establishment of a Composer Chapter 9 (1921-1922): London Chapter 10 (1923-1924): Meteoric Rise Chapter 11 (1925-1927): The Composer Ruined Part 4: Reconstruction Chapter 12 (1928-1931): Starting Again Chapter 13 (1932-1935): Rebuilding a Reputation Chapter 14 (1936-1942): Return to Ireland Part 5: Maturity, Marriage and Last YearsChapter 15 (1943-1944): 'Wonderful Things Together' Chapter 16 (1944-1945): Muse Chapter 17 (1945-1946): 'My Word as a Gentleman' Chapter 18 (1947-1948): Masterpiece? Chapter 19 (1949-1950): 'No More Partings' Chapter 20: Last Days and Death Appendix I: The Moeran Mythology Appendix II: List of Works Select Bibliography Index
