The Arts
The Life of Music
by Nicholas Kenyon
Nicholas Kenyon explores the enduring appeal of the classical canon at a moment when we can access all music - across time and cultures Immersed in music for much of his life through writing about it and curating events, Nicholas Kenyon has long championed an astonishingly diverse range of composers and performers. Now, as we think about music in fresh ways, Kenyon tells the stories that make up the classical tradition and brings to the fore those which are often overlooked. In this impassioned guide, Kenyon highlights the achievements of the women and men, amateurs and professionals, who bring music to life. From Pianist Myra Hess’s performance in London during the Blitz; to John Adams’ composition of a piece for mourners after New York’s 9/11 attacks; to opera singers singing from their Italian balconies amidst the 2020 global pandemic, Kenyon shows that, no matter how great the crisis, music has the power to bring us together and to help us withstand. This personal, celebratory account shows why classical music is more relevant than ever.
