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SOUNDS AND SWEET AIRS reveals the hidden stories of eight remarkable composers, taking the reader on a journey from seventeenth-century Medici Florence to London in the Blitz.Exploring not just the lives and works of eight exceptional artists, historian Anna Beer also asks tough questions about the silencing of their legacy, which continues to this day. Why do we still not hear masterpieces such as Hensel's piano work "The Year," Caccini's arias and Boulanger's setting of Psalm 130A long-overdue celebration of neglected virtuosos, SOUNDS AND SWEET AIRS presents a complex and inspirational picture of artistic endeavour and achievement that deserves to be part of our cultural heritage.The featured composers are Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi, lisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Marianna Martines, Fanny Hensel (ne Mendelssohn) , Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Elizabeth Maconchy.



About the Author

Anna Beer

Anna's first book, type-written when she was 12, was called 'Wuthering Claudia'. It was written for and featured her classmates at Chiswick Community School. Now, several decades on, she continues to write about what interests her - and hopes will interest others. Her latest book, 'Sounds and Sweet Airs: the Forgotten Women of Classical Music' tells the fascinating and inspiring stories of eight female composers. It's a book that's been in her mind for years, and it's truly exciting to see it come to life.

Writing 'Sounds' has brought together a number of Anna's long-standing activities and passions - music, obviously; writing, even more obviously; thinking about women's lives in the past (which was the impetus for her book on Bess Throckmorton, wife to Sir Walter Ralegh) ; thinking about the material conditions necessary for the creation of 'great art' (which was one of the ideas behind her biography of John Milton) .

Alongside her work as a biographer, Anna teaches English Literature and Creative Writing to undergraduates and postgraduates; contributes to the Oxford Student Texts series for Oxford University Press; and makes regular lecture and media appearances.

Anna's blog (www.shadowofthecourtesan.wordpress.com) reveals that research, writing and teaching are not her only passions: she loves cycling (sometimes a long, long way) ; good food and really good wine; and wandering around dirty, beautiful cities. Oh, and long-distance trains.



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