[ebooks] La coupure entre architectes et intellectuels; ou les enseignements de l'Italophilie: Ouvrage de référence sur l'architecture (French Edition) by Jean-Louis Cohen in Arts-Photography

Review

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Hats off - a pure delightBy HelenaNaturally; a MUST for all lovers of Furtwanglers music!Although I am totally unable to speculate on the quality of the research behind this book; it is to me a very pleasant reading experience; to say the least. The book is very well-written (which cannot be said of the biographies of many "serious" musicians) and whilst the author is overtly sympathetic to his subject; he is also sensitive to the weaknesses in the personality of this great but flawed man.Furtwangler lived through both world wars and occupied a highly unique place in modern musical history. I thought it would have been quite a feat to bring to life not just the man; but the times that made and shaped and (perhaps ultimately) broke him - perhaps one of the most complicated periods in human history (from Imperial Prussia to the Weimar Republic to the Third Reich to post-war Germany). I thought the author did a brilliant job. He writes with a flair and the book never loses its flow or its grip on you; even when its going through a few large chunks of what can only be called data (e.g. dates of professional engagements; works premiered or performed; etc. - even a long list of people whom Furtwangler saved or helped under the Nazis and basic facts of each case).Nor does the author skip over the "juicy" parts of Furtwanglers life (there is the odd love letter to read; which is no bad thing); but he does not descend to prurience - perhaps not an easy task if you are writing about a veritable Don Juan. I suppose the mans famous sex appeal simply cannot be omitted if one is to figure out what makes Furtwangler; well; Furtwangler.Nevertheless; the book is primarily about Furtwanglers decision to stay in Germany and the consequences of this decision. In this aspect; the author absolutely delivers. Look out for the intensely engaging chapters on Furtwanglers protracted and deadly game of chess with all of Goebbels; Goering; Himmler and Hitler himself. Also watch out for the bit on the furore over the prospective Chicago Symphony appointment and the post-war correspondence between Furtwangler and his old friend Bruno Walter. Just these bits; I thought; are worth the price of the book. I bought the electronic and then the hard copy versions - thats how big a fan I am.Is this the "final word" on Furtwangler? Is this the closest we can get (in English) on his character? (The author was at least in time to speak in person to Frau Elizabeth Furtwangler and a few of the musical luminaries who were the great mans colleagues.) Is this a truthful picture of the man and what he did and what happened to him? Who can tell? Read this book as one possible way to interpret the man and his part in history. Perhaps as a story. Even as a cautionary tale from the bloodiest century man has ever known. In any event; it is a highly rewarding reading experience.Not being a reader of German I have alwasy lamented the dearth of general reading on this strangely mesmerising and hugely influential man. I am very happy with the present offering and hope that it may be the precursor of more scholarship to follow. I hope you will enjoy as much as I did.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Furtwanglers ordealBy classical fanFurtwanglers ordeal under the Third Reich is well described here. I quibble over some of the chronology of events but still a good read0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good ReadBy Scott CullenI used this for research on Furtwangler. The tone felt a bit too laudatory of the man. Great conductor though.