9780714859866: Playing the Human Game
Open Assets in IntranetMain Image
Shopify Checkout Image
Carousel Images
Carousel images MISSING
Open Edition Text In Intranet
JSON Data
{"authorDescription":"Alfred Brendel ","bookshot2d":null,"bookshot3d":null,"bookshot3dSquare":null,"categories":[],"date":"","editionId":14609,"guid":"5c7f282f-2404-4b83-b2a9-6388b6529eb3","images":[],"markets":{"AUD":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"49.95","show":false},"CAD":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"45.00","show":false},"EUR":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"35.00","show":false},"GBP":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"24.95","show":false},"TEST":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"0.00","show":false},"USD":{"discountPrice":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","price":"39.95","show":false}},"related":[],"sku":"9780714859866","source":"BOOKs","specifications":{"binding":"Hardback","colIlls":"34","extent":"600","language":"English","lenInch":"7 3/8","lenMm":"186","weightKilo":"0.6","widthInch":"4 3/8","widthMm":"110"},"status":false,"subtitle":"Collected Poems of Alfred Brendel","title":"Playing the Human Game","uri":"","webAuthorDescription":"\u003cp\u003eAlfred Brendel (b. 1931) was born in Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic), and has lived in London since 1971. He is best known as one of the world's most widely respected pianists and classical recording artists. Writing has long been a \u003ci\u003eviolon d'Ingres\u003c/i\u003e for Brendel and he has published a number of volumes including \u003ci\u003eOne Finger Too Many \u003c/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eCursing Bagels\u003c/i\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e","webDescription":"","webKeywords":"","webLongDescription":"\u003cp\u003eAfter the announcement of his retirement from the concert stage in 2008, Alfred Brendel, the famous pianist who during his six decades of performances has mastered the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Liszt among many others, is now concentrating on his second passion: poetry.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWriting has long been Alfred Brendel's foremost interest and favourite occupation. He has previously published several essays and lectures on musical subjects, including \u003ci\u003eMusical Thoughts and Afterthoughts\u003c/i\u003e (1976), \u003ci\u003eMusic Sounded Out\u003c/i\u003e (1990), and \u003ci\u003eAlfred Brendel on Music\u003c/i\u003e (2001), which came out to mark his 70th birthday. His literary work has, on several occasions, been praised by critics and the press on its own merit, setting aside his musical renown. Turning to verse, Brendel has also published a number of poetry volumes including \u003ci\u003eOne Finger Too Many\u003c/i\u003e (1998) and \u003ci\u003eCursing Bagels\u003c/i\u003e (2004).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis latest publication, \u003ci\u003ePlaying the Human Game\u003c/i\u003e, is Brendel's first and most comprehensive collection of poems in English with their original German versions. The author has collaborated with the leading scholar, Richard Stokes, on the English translation of the poems in this volume. It features over 200 poems and includes previously unpublished poems. Additionally, the book is beautifully illustrated with artworks that have inspired the musician and his poetry.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot surprisingly, many of Brendel's poems evoke the world of classical music. In one poem, Beethoven, disguised as Salieri, poisons a sleeping Mozart and skulks away clutching, forever, Mozart's greatest possession: the key of C minor. Elsewhere, the conceptual artist Christo wraps the Three Tenors on the balcony of La Scala. In another, the supernumerary index finger of the pianist takes centre stage and becomes an obstinate cougher in the hall beckoning a lady in the third row. \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are surprising and enchanting poems, revealing the light (and dark) side of Alfred Brendel, one of the world's greatest musicians. His followers will have to have this book, but so will anyone who enjoys readable poetry written by a most curious and playful mind. \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublished to coincide with Alfred Brendel's 80th birthday, on the 5th January 2011, \u003ci\u003ePlaying the Human Game\u003c/i\u003e is the perfect companion to his future poetry readings and lectures.\u003c/p\u003e","webReviews":"","webShortDescription":"\u003cp\u003eEnchanting poems from the famous pianist Alfred Brendel.\u003c/p\u003e"}