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I've been playing Verdi's piano reductions lately as a way to get to know his operas better, so this comes as a wonderful surprise! He was not only a master of lyricism and orchestration but also quite involved in politics and well-loved during his time. Fascinating man.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131002-verdi-when-music-m...

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I'm of two minds with regards to this story. On the one hand it is fantastic to gain concrete insights into the processes that went into the creation of his work. On the other hand, and more controversially, I can't help but think that the artist was disrespected when his heirs didn't follow through with his wishes that the drafts and notes be destroyed.

Same with Kafka. I honestly think we're better for having his writing than destroying his work like he asked.

Verdi—and Kafka—could have burnt his notes as he went so a part of me thinks, maybe he was just being coy.

and chopin. several of his most beloved works were to be bruned. if i had a time machine, my 1st stop would be paris, 1840, with pills for tuberculosis.

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