Recommended Reading for Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day coming up, there’s no better time to celebrate all the many different kinds of love. Here at Composition Corner, what we love is music and books! Here’s a collection of recommended reading featuring classical musicians and their stories:
The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman (published 2023)
This remains one of Composition Corner’s most recommended novels, and with good reason! This incredible debut focuses on a child prodigy turned competitive pianist when she tackles her mid-life crisis by entering a piano competition. You can read our full, glowing review of the book HERE.
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable (published 2024)
Set in 18th-century Venice, this historical debut novel follows a gifted young violinist and composer who studies under the mentorship of Antonio Vivaldi, following her journey from orphaned student to accomplished performer in a world that does not want to make room for women artists.
Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe (published 2023)
A dark twisted tale focusing on identical twin ballerinas whose contrasting personalities and ambitions draw them into a tense triangle with a gifted pianist, against the psychological cost of pursuing artistic perfection.
Mad Scenes + Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America by Heidi Waleson (published 2018)
This non-fiction is an incredibly thorough and insightful look into the rise, fall and ultimate bankruptcy of the beloved New York City Opera, as told by a WSJ opera critic. This book should absolutely be required reading for absolutely anyone who wants to be an arts administrator!
The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (published 2018)
This novel follows four musicians who form a string quartet and build their lives around music, tracing their friendships, rivalries, and romantic relationships over several decades as they navigate both artistic success and personal setbacks.
Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell (published 2004)
There is no better novel for Valentine’s Day than this charming story of Mozart’s relationship with the Weber family sisters. Often described as “Amadeus meets Little Women,” this warm, cozy, and deeply romantic novel is a perfect blend of music, history, and heartfelt storytelling. You can read our full, favorable review of the book on our blog HERE.
Diva by Daisy Goodwin (published 2023)
A fictionalized retelling of Maria Callas’s life with Aristotle Onassis, Diva definitely stirs strong reactions among opera lovers due to its loose relationship with historical fact, but it remains a compelling and thoughtfully written character study we enjoyed nonetheless.
This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin (published 2006)
Another nonfiction work, this book offers an incredibly detailed and engaging exploration of how music affects the brain, emotions, and memory, making it a fascinating read for anyone curious about why music moves us and how it shapes our experiences.
Mozart’s Sister by Rita Charbonnier (published 2006)
While there are several books on the life of Mozart’s sister (even with the same title!), we love this version for its intimate portrayal of Nannerl Mozart as a prodigiously talented musician navigating family expectations while balancing her own pursuit of love.
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (published 1909)
No list describing music and love would be complete without the inclusion of Gaston Leroux’s gothic tale, which follows the mysterious composer living beneath the Paris Opera House and his obsessive attachment to a young soprano, famously popularized by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly romanticized 80’s musical!
