Composer biographies

[Mark Thomas]

Indeed you are John - here's a link to it. Thanks for the plug!

[sdtom]

I too can heartily recommend the Smith book on Herrmann.
Tom

[Gareth Vaughan]

Has anyone read The Life and Music of Eric Coates by Michael Payne? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Music-Eric-Coates/dp/1409434087/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385673298&sr=1-1&keywords=Eric+Coates

Or Cecile Chaminade: A Bio-bibliography by Marcia J, Citron? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cecile-Chaminade-Bio-bibliography-Bio-Bibliographies-Music/dp/0313253196/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385673421&sr=1-4&keywords=Chaminade

They are unfortunately a bit on the pricey side. Will have to order from my library.

[giles.enders]

I have just finished reading a biography of Hamilton Harty by Jeremy Dibble.  It is very well researched and gives a good insight into this very gifted man.  It is a shame he composed relatively little.  JD has had trouble with Harty's early years and parts of Harty's life remain a mystery.  He separated from his wife early on yet they were never divorced. His time with the Halle orchestra is particularly interesting. It is well worth reading.

[Mark Thomas]

I find Dibble an excellent musical biographer. His books on Parry and Stanford are models of their kind IMHO, getting the balance between life and works just about right.