| Abstract |
Although chiefly remembered as a humanitarian and Nobel Prize winner, Albert Schweitzer was a renowned concert organist and musicologist. His writings changed the course of Bach scholarship and of organ building early in the twentieth century in Europe and North America. His musical activities, however, have been the subject of only one book in English, published in the 1950s, whose purpose was biographical rather than critical. This has resulted in mistaken assumptions about his role as a musician, not the least of which is the view of Schweitzer as founder of Baroque reform movements whose ideals in fact he deplored. This book offers an account of his training--and of the masters who formed the tradition he belonged to--his writings, recitals, recordings, and friendships with other musicians. It includes previously unpublished letters, comments and advice on organ design, techniques advocated to performers, a biolographical sketch, and a comprehensive bibliography. |
