In the fine tradition of "Secret Lives of Great Authors" and "Secret Lives of Great Artists" comes the latest entry in Quirk's successful series: "Secret Lives of Great Composers". You've heard their scores in countless movies, from "Fantasia" to "Apocalypse Now" - now get the skinny on their tumultuous lives, loves, and lunacy. You'll learn that Frederic Chopin had his heart removed before burial, due to his grave fear of being buried alive. Sergei Rachmaninoff hated the sound of his own music and despised performing it. Gustav Mahler was rarely invited to dinner parties because he would eat nothing but whole wheat bread and apples. Haydn's head was stolen by would-be phrenologists who hid his skull in a specially made black box. Hector Berlioz hatched an intricate plan to kill his former fiancee, her lover, and her mother with a pair of double-barreled shotguns - while wearing women's clothing. Dmitry Shostakovich was the first composer to have a piece sung by an astronaut in outer space. And much more!

About the Author

Elizabeth Lunday is a journalist specializing in music, architecture, and art. She writes the "Masterpieces" column for mental_floss magazine and lives in Forth Worth, Texas.