|
Adventures of Richard Wagner, by Opal Wheeler
At the age of four, Wilhelm Richard Wagner made his first impression on the theatrical world when he pounded on a bass drum and stopped the performance at the Dresden Playhouse-right in the midst of his stepfather's lines. This ill-fated incident put a temporary stop to Richard's nights backstage, and the punishment was almost more than exuberant little "Dicker" could bear. No more trunks to explore, no more wigs to try on, no more lights and music and dancing. He had so loved being a part of his adored stepfather's professional life. But there were golden and impressionable years ahead for young Richard. He came under the haunting spell of Weber's opera, Der Freischutz, and copied the entire score on his own music sheets to memorize. He avidly read Shakespeare's plays and vowed he would write even greater tragedies. He staged puppet shows, wrote poetry, and dreamed fantastic dreams. One of the most profound influences on Richard's youth was a Beethoven symphony, heard for the first time in Leipzig. The mighty music thundered in his mind as he walked from the concert hall, and it was characteristic of him that he determined, then and there, to become a great composer. Always headstrong and impatient with guidance from others, Richard struggled daily with the rules of harmony and counterpoint, while his instructors discouraged his dream. Throwing traditional methods aside, the future composer of Lohengrin and Tristan and Isolde went directly to the great masters' works and copied their music, note by note, until it became a part of him. More than anything else he wanted to write operas-his own stories set to music, sung and acted. As Opal Wheeler's light-hearted and lively biography reveals, Richard Wagner is an amazing example in music history-one of the few composers of stature who learned his art from the untutored study of the masterpieces of his day.
|
|
All required fields are marked with a star (*). Click the 'Add To Cart' or 'Add To Wish List' button at the bottom of this form to proceed.
|
|
|
Ludwig Beethoven & The Chiming Tower Bells by Opal Wheeler
This is his story, an inspiring story of Beethoven's achievements against all odds of his growing deafness. Long live Beethoven! shouted the audience. But the master could not hear them, and as a singer turned him gently to face the audience, the noble head bowed low as he saw from the flutter of handkerchiefs, the applause that rained upon him.
|
|
|
Young Brahms by Opal Wheeler
Johannes Brahms, the frail little son of poor parents, spent the first years of his life in a wretched tenement in the old harbor city of Hamburg. However, little Johannes` love for fine music and for composing finally led to lessons and then to a speedy success.
|
|
|
Chopin Son Of Poland -- 2 Books by Opal Wheeler
Frederic Chopin, celebrated pianist and probably the greatest composer for the piano the world has ever known, was born in a little cottage in Poland. These 2 books cover his early years and his later years.
|
|
|
Stephen Foster and His Little Dog Tray, by Opal Wheeler
There is much more in this book than the engaging story of the young Stephen Foster, and his never-to-be-forgotten music. In this appealing, sensitive biography of the composer whose folk songs are our common heritage, is told one of the real stories of our own America.
|
|
|
Handel At The Court Of Kings by Opal Wheeler
With clarity and with admirable simplicity, keyed to the understanding of children, Opal Wheeler has traced the many-sided career of George Frederic Handel, whose restless nature vied always with his tremendous ability as a composer and director.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mozart, The Wonder Boy by Opal Wheeler
Mozart, The Wonder Boy presents the musical genius of this child prodigy, the loving family in which he was reared, and the impact he had on the world around him and to generations beyond.
|
|
|
Paganini, Master of Strings by Opal Wheeler
Written with warmth and understanding, the present book on Paganini begins with his unhappy childhood along the wharves in Genoa and carries him straight through the tempestuous years when great genius and poverty waged an endless battle, which genius finally won.
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Schumann And Mascot Ziff by Opal Wheeler
From the time he was a little boy, playing with his beloved cat, Ziff, in his home village in Saxony, until he became the famous composer, friend of Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Liszt, Robert Schumann lived happily and pleasantly.
|
|
|
|
|
