Roger Quilter - (Music) by Valerie Langfield (Hardcover)

About the Book

Draws upon unpublished sources and interviews with those who knew him to give a full picture of Roger Quilter's artistic world and musical output.

Book Synopsis

The songs of Roger Quilter are a staple of the English art song repertoire, yet little is known of his life, and his popularity suffered an eclipse in postwar years largely through changing musical fashions. Championed by the great English tenor Gervase Elwes, Quilter became famous for songs such as 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal', 'Love's Philosophy' and 'Go, Lovely Rose'. The BBC included 'A Children's Overture' in their first broadcast concert, and the success of his atmospheric music for the children's fairy play 'Where the Rainbow Ends' ensured his immense popularity. Access to numerous sources worldwide, many of them unpublished, and extensive interviews with friends and family, have enabled Valerie Langfield to write a sympathetic and authoritative account of Quilter, the first full-length study. The first part focuses on Quilter's life: she examines his relationships with his friends, particularly Grainger and the de Glehn family, and how his wealth, ill-health, family and homosexuality affected him. Her researches testify to Quilter's quiet philanthropy: his many practical actions included his founder-membership of the Musicians Benevolent Fund, generous and discreet assistance to young musicians, and help to Jewish friends fleeing Germany and Austria before the second world war. The second part of the book discusses and contextualises all his music: songs, chamber, orchestral and theatre music, and his light opera, 'Julia', performed at Covent Garden in 1936.

Review Quotes

The biography has been thoroughly researched and is meticulously documented. When she come to the works, the same thoroughness is applied. GRAMOPHONE [John Steane] Superb new biography... I can't speak highly enough of Valerie Langfield's book, which is a mine of information on a 75-year-long musical life lived in the shadow of smart society and two terrible wars. The scholarship is formidable, the detail scrupulously marshalled... The CD recordings deserve to be far more widely known. OLDIE [Richard Osborne] VL has performed a wonderful service for the memory and works of Roger Quilter, and all who care for English song are deeply in her debt. IVOR GURNEY SOCIETY JOURNAL [Roger Buckley] Engaging, well-researched, highly detailed biography... Book and CD will delight devotees, scholars and performers of English song. CHOICE Authoritative and superbly researched study of his life and music. SUNDAY TELEGRAPH [Michael Kennedy] Splendid...will certainly remain the definitive exploration of Quilter's life and music for a long time to come.... Beautifully researched, aptly organized, well edited and carefully written.-- "ALBION"