'Loves of Great Composers' Summary

In Loves of Great Composers, Gustav Kobbe delves into the romantic lives of seven great composers: Bach, Handel, Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Wagner. Kobbe, a music critic who personally knew Liszt and Wagner, provides a unique and entertaining perspective on the loves and relationships that shaped these musical geniuses. Through his vivid storytelling and strong opinions, Kobbe offers insights into the creative process and the human experience of these iconic figures. Kobbe's unusual writing style and strongly romantic take on the composers' lives make for a captivating read, even if his opinions may differ from more academic writers and biographers. Each composer occupies a section or chapter, with Wagner getting the fuller account in terms of length. Kobbe's unusual sentence construction and storytelling approach make the book feel more like a captivating tale than a written work, providing a glimpse into the atmosphere and culture of the 19th century.