David W. Barber has delighted readers around the world with Accidentals on Purpose, When the Fat Lady Sings and other internationally bestselling books of musical humor. His bestselling Bach, Beethoven and the Boys chronicles the lives of the great (and not-so-great) composers as you’ve never read them before — exploring their sex lives, exposing their foibles and expanding on our understanding of these all-too-human creatures. Filled with information, interesting facts and trivia, this hilarious history covers music from Gregorian chant to the mess we’re in now. From Bach’s laundry lists to Beethoven’s bowel problems, from Gesualdo’s kinky fetishes to Cage’s mushroom madness, Barber tells tales out of school that ought to be put back there. (Think how much more fun it would be if they taught this stuff.)
As always, Dave Donald had provided witty and clever cartoon illustrations to accompany the text.
Here’s what some notable people have said about David W. Barber’s books:
“My heartiest commendation for an admirable work of scholarship. ... I will not say again that it is funny, since this will compel you to set your jaw and dare Barber to make you laugh.”
— Anthony Burgess
on Bach, Beethoven and the Boys
“I must say I still adore opera. I know it is just as silly as Mr. Barber says it is, but I love it.”
— Anna Russell
on When the Fat Lady Sings
“This amusing and witty ... delightful book.”
— Yehudi Menuhin
on Accidentals on Purpose
“Those who have laughed their way through David Barber’s earlier books will know that there are a lot of facts lurking behind his irreverent humour.”
— Trevor Pinnock
on Getting a Handel on Messiah
“If I had gone to music school, this is how I would want to learn about all those composers. [This book] is so clever that you don’t need me to tell you it’s clever. You can read it and find out for yourself.”
— Maureen Forrester
on When the Fat Lady Sings
As always, Dave Donald had provided witty and clever cartoon illustrations to accompany the text.
Here’s what some notable people have said about David W. Barber’s books:
“My heartiest commendation for an admirable work of scholarship. ... I will not say again that it is funny, since this will compel you to set your jaw and dare Barber to make you laugh.”
— Anthony Burgess
on Bach, Beethoven and the Boys
“I must say I still adore opera. I know it is just as silly as Mr. Barber says it is, but I love it.”
— Anna Russell
on When the Fat Lady Sings
“This amusing and witty ... delightful book.”
— Yehudi Menuhin
on Accidentals on Purpose
“Those who have laughed their way through David Barber’s earlier books will know that there are a lot of facts lurking behind his irreverent humour.”
— Trevor Pinnock
on Getting a Handel on Messiah
“If I had gone to music school, this is how I would want to learn about all those composers. [This book] is so clever that you don’t need me to tell you it’s clever. You can read it and find out for yourself.”
— Maureen Forrester
on When the Fat Lady Sings
