Roberto Gerhard: Re-Appraising a Musical Visionary in Exile

Gerhard was a visionary composer of the twentieth century who incorporated science, philosophy, and the arts into his work, living through tumultuous times including the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. This edited volume explores how these events and the post-war cultural and political climate shaped his life and work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Gerhard, a visionary composer of the 20th century, seamlessly merged ideas from science, philosophy, and the arts to create an extraordinary oeuvre that encompassed the folk song of his native Catalonia, to serialism and electronic music. Throughout his life, he experienced some of the most turbulent periods in recent history, including the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, as an exile in England. This edited volume, a unique collaboration between experts in Spanish cultural studies, exile, musicology, and analysis, delves into how these events and the post-war cultural and political climate shaped Gerhard's life and work.

The book explores the profound impact of Gerhard's exile experience on his artistic development, examining how it shaped his compositions and influenced his outlook on life. It also sheds light on the cultural and political context of his time, highlighting the ways in which it influenced his artistic choices and social commentary.

Through a series of essays and case studies, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of Gerhard's life and work, exploring his musical compositions, philosophical ideas, and artistic influences. It also examines his relationships with other artists and intellectuals, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró, who were significant figures in the avant-garde art scene of the 20th century.

The volume concludes by examining the enduring legacy of Gerhard's music and its impact on contemporary music and culture. It explores how his innovative approaches to composition and his exploration of new musical territories continue to inspire and influence musicians and artists around the world.

In conclusion, this edited volume provides a valuable insight into the life and work of Gerhard, a composer who has left an indelible mark on the 20th century. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it explores how his experiences as an exile and his exploration of new musical territories shaped his artistic vision and contributed to the development of contemporary music and culture.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197267134