Dr. Colin Roust is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Kansas. His research interests include twentieth-century music, film music, music history pedagogy, music and politics, and the intersection of music and the other arts in multimedia genres. He is also a co-editor of The Routledge Film Music Sourcebook and co-translator of William Ritter: Studies of Foreign Art.

"There can be no doubt that Roust's accessible, lucidly written book will serve as a touchstone for all future research on this remarkable composer." -- Keith Clifton, Fontes Artis Musicae

"In short, this is an admirable study of a key figure in twentieth-century French musical life. It opens many avenues for further research and will certainly be a must read for anybody interested in twentieth-century French musical culture." -- Christopher Moore, Music and Letters

"It is difficult to imagine a finer account of this fascinating life." -- Choice

"A clear and reliable account of a fascinatingly diverse life and career." -- Opera

"Colin Roust has written an extraordinary biography of an extraordinary man. Beautifully organized and elegantly written, Roust's clear judgment, original and exhaustive research, and formidable understanding of musical life in twentieth-century France pervade this magisterial volume. This book will fascinate all those who love French music of the last century. It will especially appeal to those interested in film music. The author's research into the state of French art and society during the Second World War makes for gripping reading. Indeed, Roust has done a great service to all readers, musical or otherwise, who seek to understand in greater detail the turbulent history of France in the twentieth century." -- Byron Adams, Distinguished Professor of Musicology, University of California, Riverside