Orpheus in Manhattan

"Pianist and composer Swayne... devotes equal space to a thorough analysis of Schuman's work as a composer and to discussing his considerable influence on the educational and artistic institutions of his day and beyond... Swayne's work reflects on the cultural, social, and political achievements of a musical giant. For scholars of Schuman and American music and aficionados of both." --Library Journal "This author clearly likes people and clearly he has charmed many into helping make this hugely detailed book a brilliant success... Strongly recommended." --James Tobin, Classical Net "Even if Schuman, no Orpheus, shaped American musical life more as administrator than creator, the present book is a fascinating study in power plays in the higher spheres of America's arts world." --Benjamin Ivry, Newark Star-Ledger "Swayne has pursued his research with a voracious diligence." --Walter Simmons, Fanfare "An objective, detailed account illustrating Schuman's roles as composer, administrator, husband, father, and friend...A well written, well documented, and totally thorough biographical work." --Notes "Brilliantly penetrates through to the tough soul of America's symphonist and is documented with 100 pages of notes and a bibliography." --Gramophone "Swayne's Orpheus in Manhattan is a triumph of archival research, and a testament to the length of William Schuman's reach across the century. It is well worth a reader's time following him there." --Journal of the American Musicological Society "Swayne's biography seems poised to provide the definitive scholarly account of Schuman for the foreseeable future and articulates the kinds of issues that make a figure like Schuman such a compelling biographical subject." --American Music "wayne's new biography is a compelling and richly detailed examination of one of the United States' most important but understudied musical leaders...IOrpheus in Manhattan is a remarkable achievement: a much-needed, well-researched, and beautifully crafted examination of an influential educator, administrator, and composer...It will certainly prove an indispensable resource to all those interested in the American music scene in the middle decades of the twentieth century."--Journal of the Society for American Music