
About THE LIFE OF MUSIC
“A typically wise and thoughtful book, which manages to combine a wealth of unexpected information with an immensely readable style – it should grab anybody, whatever their level of musical knowledge.”
Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Immersed in music as writer, editor, broadcaster and former director of the BBC Proms, Nicholas Kenyon has long championed composers and performers who widen the repertory and expand our listening. Today, as we think about culture in new ways, Kenyon revisits the narratives that make up the classical tradition and looks at that music through the experience of actual performances. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, The Life of Music highlights the achievements of composers and players, amateurs and professionals – all those who bring music to life across the ages.
From pianist Myra Hess’s performances in Blitz-ravaged London to John Adams’s composition for mourners of New York’s 9/11 attacks to Italian opera stars singing from their balconies amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenyon argues that, no matter how great the crisis, music has the power to bring us together.
The Life of Music: New Adventures in the Western Classical Tradition
Hardback and eBook, 360 pages and 64 colour illustrations
RRP: UK £18.99 / US $27.50
Release dates: World, excluding US – 27th April 2021 / US – 25th May 2021
Available wherever books are sold in the UK, including:
Available wherever books are sold in the US, including:


Sample the Playlist
To accompany The Life of Music, Nicholas Kenyon has recommended a playlist of 100 great works by 100 great composers in 100 great performances which can be found on Spotify. Search for ‘The Life of Music – Nicholas Kenyon’.
A sample of performances from this playlist is free to access and enjoy on YouTube without a subscription here. Click ‘watch on on YouTube’ to access the full list.
Praise for THE LIFE OF MUSIC

£2 from the sale of each book in the UK will go to the charity Help Musicians, an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement. Find out more about the charity at www.helpmusicians.org.uk