Essays on Music

by Hans Keller

Hans Keller (1919–1985) was one of the most brilliant and stimulating writers on music of his day, and this is the first large selection of his essays. His work draws on his rich and diverse experience as a string-player, composer, teacher, analyst and critic, and also reflects a deep interest in psychoanalysis. The first part of the book addresses psychological issues relating to critics, listeners, players and composers; the second analyses music by a wide range of composers from Haydn to the present day; and the third propounds his new theory of music, with essays on unity and contrast, motifs, themes, keys, timbre and rhythm. There is also a 'wordless functional analysis' of a Mozart piano sonata published here for the first time. The volume concludes with a magisterial account of what Keller deemed to be 'the principles of composition'.

Genres: Music

289 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 1995

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hans Keller, a native Austrian who emigrated to the UK in the 1930s, was one of the most stimulating writers on music of his day. His writing drew on his experience as a string player, composer, teacher, analyst and critic, and also reflected a deep interest in psychoanalysis. His style of writing could be described as “in your face” — he stated his opinions emphatically, and in engaging and lively language. His essays require the reader to have a strong background in music in order to be able to follow his arguments. If you’re up to the task, you will learn a great deal, not least of which is new ways to think about music.