Erb, J. Lawrence. Brahms. $1.25. Dutton.
A useful and suggestive introduction to the life of Johannes Brahms which appears uniform with the “Master musicians” series. “There are no stirring events to recount, no revolution, or hurling of artistic thunderbolts; his life is but a record of work, unswervingly pursued, and of a homely, simple life of quiet friendships, with rambles through Italy or Switzerland in holiday times, though these holidays were the opportunities for some of his best work, as is ever the case with a true artist.” (Acad.)
+ Acad. 69: 1087. O. 14, ’05. 510w.
“Mr. Erb’s book is not a bad book; he has gathered his materials conscientiously and he has not tortured truth in their presentation—only he has missed the opportunity to create a fine piece of work.”
+ Ind. 61: 490. Ag. 16, ’06. 470w.
“The most useful of these, [biographies of Brahms] for the general reader, is Erb’s.”
+ + Nation. 82: 473. Je. 7, ’06. 90w.
“His biography is not marked by originality, either of research or of critical views; but it will fill a place that has not been exactly filled in English.” Richard Aldrich.
+ N. Y. Times. 11: 190. Mr. 31, ’06. 60w.