My Nine Lives
1 journaler for this copy...
Arrived from Half Price Books a few days ago.
I read a review of this book a while back, which led to my purchasing it. I don't remember what was in that review that interested me, but I have read a number of books by or about musicians and found them interesting. This is no exception.
I don't have any of Fleisher's recordings, sad to say. I wondered why the name sounded familiar but not as familiar as most pianists I follow. The reason is that for most of his life he suffered from a debilitating condition affecting two fingers of his right hand. The condition made it impossible for him to continue with his solo career, so he took up teaching and conducting and occasionally performing works for the left hand. After more than thirty years he found a way to manage the condition well enough so that he could resume playing with both hands.
Meanwhile, Fleisher became well known as a teacher and conductor. As he points out in this book, there is a difference between being a pianist and being a musician. He was most surely a musician.
I studied piano myself when I was young and I had dreams about a career in music. I did not, however, put in the hours needed to develop the technique that would allow me to learn pieces quickly and keep them in my fingers. I recognized this lack early on. This book emphasized for me the difference between the type amateur performer I was and professionals like Fleisher. My decision was the right one.
In addition to sharing the details of his life both on and off the stage, this book provides some "master classes" in particular pieces, where Fleisher dissects some favorites, explaining why he finds them special. It was a pleasure to read this analysis.
What I did not enjoy reading about was his infidelity in his first two marriages. I just couldn't swallow how he essentially walked out of his children's lives so he could be with another woman. Fortunately, those children reconciled with him later, but it never sat right with me. Similarly, his descriptions of the women in his life had a bit too much emphasis on how attractive they were. I know - sign of the times - but that doesn't really excuse his actions.
I don't have any of Fleisher's recordings, sad to say. I wondered why the name sounded familiar but not as familiar as most pianists I follow. The reason is that for most of his life he suffered from a debilitating condition affecting two fingers of his right hand. The condition made it impossible for him to continue with his solo career, so he took up teaching and conducting and occasionally performing works for the left hand. After more than thirty years he found a way to manage the condition well enough so that he could resume playing with both hands.
Meanwhile, Fleisher became well known as a teacher and conductor. As he points out in this book, there is a difference between being a pianist and being a musician. He was most surely a musician.
I studied piano myself when I was young and I had dreams about a career in music. I did not, however, put in the hours needed to develop the technique that would allow me to learn pieces quickly and keep them in my fingers. I recognized this lack early on. This book emphasized for me the difference between the type amateur performer I was and professionals like Fleisher. My decision was the right one.
In addition to sharing the details of his life both on and off the stage, this book provides some "master classes" in particular pieces, where Fleisher dissects some favorites, explaining why he finds them special. It was a pleasure to read this analysis.
What I did not enjoy reading about was his infidelity in his first two marriages. I just couldn't swallow how he essentially walked out of his children's lives so he could be with another woman. Fortunately, those children reconciled with him later, but it never sat right with me. Similarly, his descriptions of the women in his life had a bit too much emphasis on how attractive they were. I know - sign of the times - but that doesn't really excuse his actions.
