This is the first full-length biography of Ferruccio Busoni since 1933. It contains a significant amount of material previously unavailable and is not written under the restrictions imposed by Busoni's widow. Drawing largely on Busoni's letters to his parents, wife, and friends, this biography offers a full portrait of the pianist, composer, family man, and seeker after solitude and contemplation. Couling is a freelance opera critic based in London. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)