Music and Musicians in Vienna

Rating:
Summary: a good introduction to Viennese musicians, not without flaw
Review: This book provides brief, but accurate, historicalinformation on Vienna's most famous musical inhabitants.All of the important figures are here--Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, et.al.--as are chapters on Viennese institutions like the Boys' Choir, the Waltz and the State opera. Rickett presents an encapsulated biography of the each composer, along with a few details of their lives in the city. Unfortunately, the book requires the reader to have a fair amout of knowledge of music and these composers to comprehend what is said. In this light, the book is neither a detailed scholarly account nor a good introduction to the non-trained fan of music. Sadly, there is no better book on the creative geniuses from this most musical of all cities.