The Last Prodigy

Book excerpt: This first full-length biography chronicles Korngold's life and works from his days as a celebrated Wunderkind in imperial Vienna, through his spectacular career as a composer of opera and symphonic works, to his escape from and Nazis to America, where he pioneered the symphonic film score and won two Oscars. The author provides a richly detailed evaluation of the composer, his relationship with the Serialists, his contribution to film music, and his place in music history. The book draws on interviews with many great musicians, singers, actors, writers, and directors, plus legendary figures from Hollywood's golden age, all of whom knew and worked with Korngold. A foreword by the composer's eldest son Ernst Korngold, a comprehensive discography and bibliography, rare illustrations, and a complete list of Korngold's works make this the definitive biography of a remarkable composer.