Category Archives: Biography

“Wagner and Aeschylus: the Ring and the Oresteia” by Michael Ewans

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Houyhnhnm

[just the first two chapters: I need to listen to the Ring itself before reading the others] Chapter 1: Wagner and Aeschylus This is a general introduction to them both, especially, as the book’s intended audience is more musicological than … Continue reading →

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“‘My Dear Jim’, a biography of Walter Spradbery”, by John Spradbery

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Houyhnhnm

Walter Spradbery, artist and pacifist, founder of the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, was married to my great aunt Edna’s sister, the opera singer Dorothy Horsey, known musically as Dorothy d’Orsay. They had a house in Buckhurst Hill called the … Continue reading →

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“Notes in Advance” by William Glock

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Houyhnhnm

Born in 1908, William Glock became one of the most important and powerful people in British music[^1] in the second half of the 20th century. This autobiography was published in 1991; he died in 2000. In summary: – Christ’s Hospital … Continue reading →

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“Jesus” by Humphrey Carpenter

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Houyhnhnm

One of Carpenter’s most well-known biographies, part of the “Past Masters” series of short books on influential thinkers. Overall Carpenter seems to go as far as he can in sympathising and admiring Jesus, stopping short just at the point beyond … Continue reading →

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