PLAYING BEFORE THE LORD: THE LIFE AND WORK OF JOSEPH HAYDN CALVIN R. STAPERT EERDMANS, 2014 304 pp. $24 In the conventional wisdom about the Classical Era in Western art music, these three abide: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. And the greatest of these is Beethoven. As practices of music history and music consumption have changed, however, this narrative has been challenged. Music lovers of all levels have questioned its assumptions and values, making for a richer and more complex story.…
Suzanne BrattOctober 28, 2014