Classical Books

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: His Life and Works for the Guitar
by Corazón Otero

In the thirty-one years since his death in 1968, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s reputation has grown. Popular perception of a composer of film music who composed ‘serious’ music in his spare time has given way to a more rational assessment, in which he is seen to be a gifted composer of music who, out of necessity, earned his living composing music for Hollywood films. There was nothing to apologise for; as he put it, in his garden grew vegetables ­ his film music ­ and also flowers, his own music. The two honourable activities existed side by side. Guitarists have done more than most to assist in Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s elevation to his true position. Beginning with Andrés Segovia and continuing to the present day, they have kept his guitar works constantly before the public. Scarcely a week goes by without some guitarist, somewhere, playing his music; and scarcely a month goes by without a new recording appearing on the market. Corazón Otero was given access to all the relevant documents, principal among which was the composer’s unpublished autobiography, a gold mine of fact, history, opinion and personal reminiscence. It forms the basis of this engaging biography. Not a fully detailed life history from cradle to grave, it nevertheless contains all the essential information. It is augmented by a list of his guitar works and an up-to-date discography. Her portrait of Castelnuovo-Tedesco shows the hitherto unrevealed human side of a supremely gifted and resourceful musician. Although much of his work has been in the repertoire for a long time, there are still gaps and grey areas to be filled in and given the colours of life. Corazón Otero’s book performs that function admirably, and will be read for pleasure as well as being referred to for vital information.