Nadia Boulanger

In his book on Nadia Boulanger, Jérôme Spycket traces the life and career of this major figure in 20^th-century music, following her path from her childhood and training at the Conservatoire de Paris to international recognition. He discusses her work as a pianist, organist, and conductor, while giving a central place to her teaching, which made her one of the most influential teachers of her time. The author also looks at her relationships with many composers, performers, and students, and at her ties to musical circles in Europe and America. Drawing on extensive documentation and many firsthand accounts, Spycket reveals a demanding, passionate personality wholly devoted to music, as committed to passing it on as to artistic excellence. This biography thus offers a better understanding of the singular place Nadia Boulanger held and of the lasting influence she exerted on several generations of musicians and, more broadly, on the musical world of the 20^th century.