Why Malicious?

'Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor. John Barbirolli made this recording over three days in July 1969 at Watford Town Hall, near London, while fighting depression and alcohol addiction...' - Why Mahler? by Norman Lebrecht
'But in spite of the refuge of hard work the effect of depression in his last years was that his life-tempo slowed down notwithstanding drugs. It was no wonder that by taking these 'pills to purge melancholy' he gave uncharitable, malicous people the impression that he was drunk, an impression fostered by the knowledge that he always carried a flask of whisky and a bottle of soda water with him (also by his indistinct speech caused by his stubborn refusal to wear his dentures, and perhaps, too, by his tremulous hands - in fact a herditary Barbirolli trait.)' - Barbirolli, Conductor Laureate by Michael Kennedy.
I can't wait for Why Stockhausen?

Now on Facebook and Twitter @overgrownpath. Photo shows John Barbirolli conducting the New York Philharmonic and is credited to the Barbirolli Society. Why Mahler by Norman Lebrecht (ISBN 9780571260782)was borrowed from Norwich Millenium Library. Barbirolli by Michael Kennedy was bought at retail. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk

Comments

Unknown said…
I imagine there is no significance to your not buying a copy of 'Why Mahler?'.
7:45 pm
Pliable said…
TPd, I just felt too humble.

It is difficult to explain; but I simply didn't feel I deserved to own a book of that stature.
8:42 pm
vp said…
Perhaps Pliable has heard enough from the "sloppy but entertaining British muckraker"?
11:59 pm
Pliable said…
The comment above from Violin Pain does, once again, raise the question of what is the difference between entertainment and art. Both the content and title of this article are not irrelevant -

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2009/02/which-lie-did-i-tell.html

À propos it should be noted that Norman Lebrecht has made a documentary on Mahler for the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p008w3zj
7:52 am
Gavin Plumley said…
I've read it for you...
1:50 pm
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