Harold C. Schonberg

Harold C. Schonberg (1915-2003) was an American music critic and journalist who served as the chief music critic for The New York Times from 1960 to 1980. He became the first music critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1971. Schonberg wrote several influential books on classical music and musicians, including "The Great Pianists" (1963) and "The Lives of the Great Composers" (1970), which remain standard references in their field. His writing style combined deep musical knowledge with clear, accessible prose that appealed to both specialists and general readers. As a critic, he was known for his forthright and sometimes controversial opinions, particularly his skepticism toward Leonard Bernstein's conducting and his criticism of Glenn Gould's piano interpretations. He maintained high standards for musical performance and was not afraid to challenge popular opinions or established reputations. Beyond classical music, Schonberg was also an accomplished chess player and wrote extensively about the game, including his book "Grandmasters of Chess" (1973). His contributions to music criticism and music literature helped shape American cultural discourse in the twentieth century.

Readers consistently praise Schonberg's depth of knowledge and clear writing style in explaining complex musical concepts. His book "The Lives of the Great Composers" receives particular attention for making classical music history accessible without oversimplification. What readers liked: - Direct, conversational tone that doesn't talk down to readers - Rich historical details and anecdotes - Balance of technical analysis with biographical storytelling - Personal insights from his experiences as a critic Common criticisms: - Strong personal biases in evaluating certain composers and performers - Occasional factual errors in historical details - Some readers find his tone too harsh or dismissive - Dated perspectives on women composers and musicians Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "The Lives of the Great Composers" - 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings) "The Great Pianists" - 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: "The Lives of the Great Composers" - 4.5/5 (150+ reviews) "The Great Pianists" - 4.4/5 (80+ reviews) One reader noted: "Schonberg writes like he's having a fascinating conversation with you about music history."

The Great Pianists (1963) A chronological history of piano performance from Mozart's time through the 20th century, covering major pianists' techniques, personalities, and contributions.

The Great Conductors (1967) An examination of conducting history from the 18th century onward, detailing the methods and careers of significant orchestral conductors.

The Lives of the Great Composers (1970) A biographical collection covering major Western classical composers from Bach to modern times, including their works and historical context.

The Glorious Ones: Classical Music's Legendary Performers (1985) A series of biographical portraits focusing on notable classical musicians of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Facing the Music (1981) A compilation of Schonberg's music criticism and reviews from his tenure at The New York Times.

The Great pianists from Mozart to the Present (1987) An expanded version of his 1963 work, updated to include more contemporary pianists and developments in piano performance.

Horowitz: His Life and Music (1992) A biography of pianist Vladimir Horowitz, covering both his personal life and his musical career.

Alex Ross writes about classical music history and criticism for The New Yorker, covering similar territory as Schonberg. His books like "The Rest is Noise" examine how classical music evolved through the 20th century with detailed analysis of composers and cultural context.

Joseph Horowitz focuses on American classical music culture and the role of critics and criticism. He has written extensively about music criticism's impact on classical music in America, including books examining the influence of critics like Schonberg at major newspapers.

Richard Taruskin produces comprehensive works on music history with extensive research and academic rigor. His Oxford History of Western Music series provides analysis of classical music development with attention to historical context and critical reception.

Stuart Isacoff writes about piano history and the development of keyboard music through different eras. His work combines technical musical analysis with historical narrative in a way that parallels Schonberg's approach to writing about pianists and piano literature.

Michael Steinberg specialized in program notes and commentary on symphonic works and chamber music. His writing style bridges academic analysis and general interest coverage of classical music, similar to Schonberg's approach in his music criticism.