James Huneker Quotes

A collection of quotes by James Huneker.

James Gibbons Huneker (1857-1921) was an American music critic, essayist, and author, best known for his influential writings on European classical music and contemporary art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on January 31, 1857, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Huneker displayed a strong interest in literature and music from a young age. He studied piano and organ, and as a teenager, he began writing music reviews for local newspapers.

In the 1890s, Huneker relocated to New York City and became a prominent music critic for the New York Sun and later for the New York Times. His insightful and passionate writings on composers such as Wagner, Chopin, and Debussy garnered him a reputation as one of America's foremost music critics. Moreover, Huneker also championed the works of American composers, including Charles Ives and Edward MacDowell.

Aside from music criticism, Huneker was known for his engaging and erudite essays on various artistic subjects, from literature to painting. He published several collections of essays throughout his career, including "Mezzotints in Modern Music" (1899) and "Ivory Apes and Peacocks" (1915). Additionally, he penned biographies of notable figures like Chopin, Wagner, and Franz Liszt.

James Gibbons Huneker's passionate advocacy for European classical music and his engaging writings on art and literature left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He passed away on February 9, 1921, in New York City at the age of 64.