The Cambridge Companion to Chopin provides the enquiring music-lover with helpful insights into a musical style which recognises no contradiction between the accessible and the sophisticated, the popular and the significant. Twelve essays by leading Chopin scholars make up three parts. Part 1 discusses the sources of Chopin's style in the music of his predecessors and the social history of the period. Part 2 profiles the mature music, and Part 3 considers the afterlife of the music - its reception, its criticism and its compositional influence in the works of subsequent composers.

Although she enjoyed only modest success during her lifetime, Kate Chopin is now recognised as a unique voice in American literature. Her seminal novel, The Awakening, published in 1899, explored new and startling territory, and stunned readers with its frank depiction of the limits of marriage and motherhood. Chopin's aesthetic tastes and cultural influences were drawn from both the European and American traditions, and her manipulation of her 'foreignness' contributed to the composition of a complex voice that was strikingly different to that of her contemporaries. The essays in this Companion treat a wide range of Chopin's stories and novels, drawing her relationship with other writers, genres and literary developments, and pay close attention to the transatlantic dimension of her work. The result is a collection that brings a fresh perspective to Chopin's writing, one that will appeal to researchers and students of American, nineteenth-century, and feminist literature.

This Companion is an accessible introduction to Schumann: his time, his temperament, his style and his œuvre. An international team of scholars explores the cultural context, musical and poetic fabric, sources of inspiration and interpretative reach of key works from the Schumann repertoire ranging from his famous lieder and piano pieces to chamber, orchestral and dramatic works. Additional chapters address Schumann's presence in nineteenth- and twentieth-century composition and the fascinating reception history of his late works. Tables, illustrations, a detailed chronology and advice on further reading make it an ideally informative handbook for both the Schumann connoisseur and the music lover. An excellent textbook for the university student of courses on key composers of nineteenth-century Western Classical music, it is an invaluable guide for all who are interested in the thought, aesthetics and affective power of one of the most intriguing figures of a culturally rich and formative period.

An accessible, up-to-date introduction to the life and works of poet and dramatist Ben Jonson.

A Companion to the piano, one of the world's most popular instruments.

'A book that no serious student should be without... refreshingly sane.' Jeremy Siepmann, Classical Music 'An immensely valuable and well-researched book.' Stephen Haylett, BBC Music Magazine 'Intermittently engrossing...' Susan Bradshaw, Musical Times.

Delve into the intricate depths of human emotions and societal constraints with "At Fault" by Kate Chopin. This compelling novel offers a poignant exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of relationships in the context of 19th-century Louisiana. Are you prepared to confront the tangled web of human desires and societal expectations? In "At Fault," Chopin masterfully navigates the complexities of human nature, weaving a rich tapestry of characters grappling with love, duty, and the pursuit of happiness. Set against the backdrop of the Deep South, the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of the social norms and cultural dynamics of the era. But here's the real question: Will you dare to challenge the conventions of society and follow your heart's true desires? Are you ready to confront the consequences of your actions and forge your own path? Experience the timeless allure of Kate Chopin's storytelling. Immerse yourself in the pages of "At Fault" and discover a world where passion and duty collide. Don't miss your chance to journey into the heart of 19th-century Louisiana. Purchase your copy of "At Fault" today and embark on a literary adventure that will linger in your mind long after the final page.