Piano Lessons: A Memoir

"A remarkably clear-sighted account of how music changes everything and nothing. Mrs. Sivan's piano lessons are invaluable and unsentimental lessons in life." ―Lavinia Greenlaw, author of The Importance of Music to Girls Anna Goldsworthy was nine years old when she met Eleanora Sivan, the charismatic Russian émigré and world-class pianist who became her piano teacher. Piano Lessons is the story of what Mrs. Sivan brought to Anna's lessons: a love of music, a respect for life, a generous spirit, and the courage to embrace a musical life. Beautifully written and strikingly honest, Piano Lessons takes the reader on a journey into the heart and meaning of music. As Anna discovers passion and ambition, confronts doubt and disappointment, and learns about much more than tone and technique, Mrs. Sivan's wisdom guides her: "We are not teaching piano playing. We are teaching philosophy and life and music digested." "What is intuition? Knowledge that has come inside.""My darling, we must sit and work." Piano Lessons reminds us all how an extraordinary teacher can change a life completely. A work that will appeal to all music lovers and anyone who has ever taken a music lesson, Piano Lessons will also touch the heart of anyone who has ever loved a teacher. "The wise words connect with anyone who can remember the pangs of adolescence, and the joy of being taken under the wing of a generous mentor." ―John Terauds, The Toronto Star "Marvelous. Enlightenment and joy on every page." —Helen Garner, author of How to End a Story "Deeply felt and elegantly written—like a melody by Mozart: joyous and heartbreaking in a single, exquisite line." —Glenn Kurtz, author of Practicing: A Musician's Return to Music

© 2010 St. Martin's Press (E-bog): 9781429949293

Udgivelsesdato

E-bog: 12. oktober 2010