Virgil Thomson: Composer on the Aisle

by Anthony Tommasini

Book Overview

In this vivid portrayal of a giant in American twentieth-century music and criticism, Anthony Tommasini recounts Thomson's experiences as a composer, critic, and gay man. Tommasini chronicles Thomson's upbringing in turn-of-the-century Kansas City, along with his struggle to accept his sexuality-I didn't want to be queer-as he searched for a place in the wider world through army service in World War I as well as at Harvard and in 1920s Paris. There...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393318583
• ISBN13: 9780393318586
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent work, the new standard on Thomson

Bravo, Anthony Tommasini. What a tour de force! Exquisitely written, copiously researched, deftly presented. This biography has it all. Look no further if you are interested in Thomson's REAL story. Thank you, Mr. Tommasini for this marvelous book which is destined to be the standard reference work on Virgil Thomson for many years to come.

An excellent overview of Thomson's life

The late composer Virgil Thomson did write an autobiography. However, autobiographies are not often fully honest. Nor do they often capture the essence of the person. Anthony Tommasini has accomplished both tasks. His portrait of Thomson, while certainly uncompromising is neither a scandal volume and it certainly is not hagiographical. He portrays Thomson very much as he was.At the time when Thomson wrote his autobiography, American attitudes towards homosexuality were less than favourable. His colleague, Henry Cowell had done time at San Quentin Prison for his homosexual relationships with young men. Tommasini very frankly discusses Thomson's many relationships, particularly his long relationship with the painter Maurice Grosser.Tommasini obviously does hold his subject in high esteem. However, that does not preclude Tommasini's critical look at his subject. He presents us with a portrait of an often irascible composer/critic whose contributions to American musical life have not yet been fully realised. Bernstein's statement on the death of Thomson unfortunately rings true today: 'we loved his music but rarely played it.' Hopefully, those who read Tommasini's work will become more interested in the extraordinary oeuvre of Virgil Thomson. His is a unique voice. Hopefully, it will be recovered.