Author: Elizabeth Carr
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 1461671132
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Get Book Here
Book Description
Shura Cherkassky's life story, like his piano playing, is provocative and captivating. At his death in 1995, Cherkassky was considered one of history's greatest pianists, as well as the last direct link to the Romantic piano tradition of Chopin, Liszt, and Anton Rubinstein. Cherkassky's story merits telling not only for his musical achievements but also for the inspiration he provided by demonstrating tenacity, integrity, common sense, and uncommon courage. Cherkassky began his concert playing life in Ukrainian Odessa at a time of lethal civil strife. Escaping with his parents to America, the child prodigy came under the tutelage of famed pianist Josef Hofmann, whose unfailing personal and professional assistance continued for more than twenty years. Cherkassky overcame poverty, prejudice against his Jewish origins, and unhappiness from his ambivalence over his homosexuality to forge an impressive touring and recording career, an enormous musical repertoire, and an intriguing personality both on stage and off. From his sensational 1923 American debut tour to sold-out concerts on six continents, Cherkassky retained his brilliance throughout a seventy-five year professional career. As a close friend for his last twenty years, author Elizabeth Carr traveled with Cherkassky on tour, attending recording and rehearsal sessions and watching him practice, plan programs, and cope with pianos, acoustics, conductors, and orchestras. Her role as confidante results in a keen understanding of Cherkassky both as a human being and a performer. Through observations, anecdotes, sixteen pages of photos, and personal correspondence reprinted in the book, this biography offers extensive research never before published, and an intimate look at the man and his music.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 754
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: Nina Kennedy
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing
ISBN: 1645305058
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 413
Get Book Here
Book Description
Practicing for Love By: Nina Kennedy Young Nina Kennedy was a child prodigy, a musical genius. Growing up in a segregated black community, she was forced to speak slang or “Ebonics” during the day to protect herself from bullying. At night, she would return home to speak the King's English with her college professor parents, both esteemed classical pianists who felt their careers had been hampered by American racism. As a result, they were determined that their daughter would have the success that they never could. Practicing for Love: A Memoir reveals Nina’s work and recognition as a child prodigy from her first complete piano recital at age nine, to her debut as piano soloist with the Nashville Symphony before an audience of over 4,000 at age thirteen. She goes on to perform in concert and with orchestras throughout the country, and is accepted for study at the Curtis Institute of Music, and later at the Juilliard School. This book contains honest details about Nina’s romantic relationships, and sheds light on the impacts of sexism and racism on her career. Written in the #MeToo era, Practicing for Love also exposes the inappropriate liberties taken by orchestral conductors, concert agents and impresarios, and recording executives - victimizing both females and males of all races.
Author: Harold C. Schonberg
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0671638378
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 532
Get Book Here
Book Description
Surveys the careers and personalities of the great pianists from Clementi and Mozart to the present day.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Music calendars
Languages : en
Pages : 182
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: Elizabeth Carr
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538183412
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 265
Get Book Here
Book Description
Described by his contemporaries as the greatest pianist of the era, Josef Hofmann performed on world stages for more than fifty years, enjoying phenomenal success. Using previously unpublished letters, documents, interviews, and testimonies, Elizabeth Carr uncovers Hofmann's world from child prodigy to established artist and private citizen.
Author: Barney Dane
Publisher: Richards Education
ISBN:
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 285
Get Book Here
Book Description
Embark on an enchanting journey through the world of piano music with "Keys to Immortality: The 100 Greatest Pianists of All Time." This comprehensive anthology celebrates the virtuosos who have left an indelible mark on the art of piano playing. From the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to the innovative brilliance of Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, and from the jazz mastery of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans to the contemporary flair of Lang Lang and Evgeny Kissin, this book captures the essence of piano greatness. Perfect for classical music aficionados, jazz enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the profound artistry of piano music, "Keys to Immortality" is a tribute to the pianists who have shaped the soundscapes of our lives. Explore the timeless beauty, innovation, and passion of the 100 greatest pianists of all time.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 756
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: John Canarina
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
ISBN: 157467188X
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 533
Get Book Here
Book Description
(Amadeus). The New York Philharmonic, from Bernstein to Maazel continues the story of America's oldest orchestra as told in Howard Shanet's Philharmonic: A History of New York's Orchestra . That volume ended with the 1970-71 season, just before the arrival of Pierre Boulez as music director. Obviously, much has happened since. This book begins, however, with a retrospective account of the controversial last years of the tenure of Dimitri Mitropoulos and the ascendancy of Leonard Bernstein to the music directorship. Having been a Philharmonic assistant conductor during Bernstein's tenure, and an inveterate Philharmonic watcher ever since, the author brings some personal insights to the story as well as moments of humor. A sub-theme of the book concerns the way the Philharmonic and its music directors have been treated by the New York press, the Times in particular. Howard Taubman's attacks on Mitropoulos, Harold Schonberg's on Bernstein, and Donal Henahan's on Zubin Mehta are all covered here, as are the writings of various critics on those and other conductors, and on the orchestra itself. The New York Philharmonic is the only orchestra ever to undertake a foreign tour solely on the initiative of its musicians, without benefit or support from management. How this came about is chronicled, as are the opening of Lincoln Center, the Parks Concerts, Promenades, Prospective Encounters, Rug Concerts, tours, and, of course, the subscription seasons. John Canarina shows how the New York Philharmonic weathered extraordinary ups and downs during this period, while remaining a vital component of New York's cultural life.
Author: Donald Isler
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1663234310
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 287
Get Book Here
Book Description
“This is a book I would readily recommend to any performer, teacher, student, or lover of the piano,” says pianist and composer John Musto. Pianist and professor Lisa Yui writes, “Donald Isler’s collection of articles and interviews are delightful! They are written in the charming and breezy style of Huneker, Loesser, and Hough (three of the most esteemed writers on the piano and pianists), but underneath lies a depth of knowledge and experience. The interviews are informative and observant, the articles witty and self-reflective. Each is fascinating, informative, enlightening—in short, a wonderful read!” According to Jerome Lowenthal, professor at the Juilliard School and one of the most renowned pianists of his generation, “If there was a golden age of pianophilia, it is nobly continued today by pianist-journalists like Donald Isler.” Author Donald Isler reflects on more than fifty years’ experience teaching, attending concerts, and living a professional life dedicated to music. Though the responsibilities of being a true artist or a good teacher are taken seriously, there are also many lighthearted and amusing stories. The thirty-five essays that comprise Part I of the book include provocative titles, such as “Up from Mediocrity,” “In Praise of Rule Breakers,” “Do I Keep an Open Mind,” plus articles about great musicians Isler heard, knew personally, or studied with. The thirty-one interviews that make up Part II followed in-depth conversations with each subject. They reveal much about the lives and careers of great artists of the older generation, such as Gary Graffman and Ruth Slenczynska, several child prodigies and many distinguished musicians in-between, as well as two acclaimed radio personalities, one impresario who has devoted her life to developing the careers of many important musicians—and Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the sex therapist, who speaks about the music in her life!
