Nadia Boulanger was a French music teacher and conductor. She taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century and performed occasionally as a pianist and organist. If you are interested in learning more about this highly influential music teacher, check out this new biography from James Whipple Miller – “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” which includes 227 letters exchanged over four decades between Boulanger and her close friend and disciple Ruth Robbins. It is available through Chestnut Hill Press.

Author James Whipple Miller was a professor of Comparative Literature and Classical Chinese at UC Berkeley. He served as editor- in-chief of financial and technology publications in Silicon Valley, leading to relationships with investors and technical innovators, in turn leading to decades in start-up business finance and directorships on many boards. He now invests his time in editing and writing projects far removed from finance, business, and Silicon Valley. His new book “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” is the first biographical study of the great French master teacher’s last half of life. (Chestnut Hill Press, 2023)

“Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” – From this unique record between an extraordinary teacher and her student, we gain deep and new insights into Boulanger’s beliefs and feelings, and how they changed as she faced the challenges of aging. Another intimate perspective on Boulanger comes from her favorite post-war student Idil Biret who vividly describes her resistance to Boulanger’s rigidity.

It was released on October 19 and has received rave advanced reviews:

“Cause for celebration!”-Thomas Wolf, Liner Notes Magazine

“This wonderful collection of letters and well-researched commentary will fascinate musicians, music lovers, or any reader interested in the life and legacy of a 20th-century musical titan!” -Clare Longendyke, Classical Concert Pianist

“A labor of love that ably explores the relationship among three women and their shared love of music.”-Kirkus Review

“Invaluable insight into a less-known period of Nadia Boulanger’s life, helping fill out a comprehensive picture of her later years.”-Nicholas Phan, Opera Lyric Tenor

“As a performer of her works, I have long admired Nadia Boulanger. This four-decade exchange of letters reveal her beautiful qualities as a teacher and person.”-Miriam K. Smith, Classical Cellist

Chestnut Hill Press is an independent publisher dedicated to promoting global understanding through distinctive new books in literature, art, and music.