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rhuLibrary Thing sent me a copy of Leon Fleisher's new memoir, "My Nine Lives: A Memoir of Many Careers in Music" (Doubleday, 2010) as part of their Early Reviewers program. Herewith, my review.
This is a very readable book about a fascinating person. Fleisher, as you may know, is a world-class pianist who for many years had lost the use of his right hand. The book really tells three interwoven stories: the main thread, of course, is about Fleisher's career. The second thread is the anecdotes about the other great musicians he has known. The third thread, which exists both in the context of the narrative and also as five interjected "Masterclass" chapters, are Fleisher's insights into the repertoire.
As autobiography, the story is competently told. Honestly, Fleisher doesn't come across as an entirely sympathetic character, but his honesty with his readers is a redeeming quality. Child prodigy, promising career, injury, destroying relationships, second career, redemption in both the professional and personal realms --- all the elements are there of the classic narrative arc. Yet somehow the way the story is told doesn't live up to the material.
As raconteur, Fleisher is a mensch. Everyone but himself comes out looking good. The anecdotes are consistently interesting, at times charming, often enlightening, but never mean-spirited.
As teacher, however, Fleisher shows his strengths. Several times while reading this book, I suddenly understood things about specific pieces or about performance techniques that I had never even thought of as issues. His explanation for why left-hand-only piano pieces can be written, but right-hand-only cannot, for example, was elegant and profound. His excursis on Mozart's piano concerto No. 25 (K. 503) is a clear, concise manifesto not just on how to perform but on how to listen.
This is a fine book with many things to recommend it. If you're looking for Fleisher's life story, this is probably as good as any place to start. If you're looking for Fleisher's musicianship, you will be well rewarded for the time you spend with this book.
This is a very readable book about a fascinating person. Fleisher, as you may know, is a world-class pianist who for many years had lost the use of his right hand. The book really tells three interwoven stories: the main thread, of course, is about Fleisher's career. The second thread is the anecdotes about the other great musicians he has known. The third thread, which exists both in the context of the narrative and also as five interjected "Masterclass" chapters, are Fleisher's insights into the repertoire.
As autobiography, the story is competently told. Honestly, Fleisher doesn't come across as an entirely sympathetic character, but his honesty with his readers is a redeeming quality. Child prodigy, promising career, injury, destroying relationships, second career, redemption in both the professional and personal realms --- all the elements are there of the classic narrative arc. Yet somehow the way the story is told doesn't live up to the material.
As raconteur, Fleisher is a mensch. Everyone but himself comes out looking good. The anecdotes are consistently interesting, at times charming, often enlightening, but never mean-spirited.
As teacher, however, Fleisher shows his strengths. Several times while reading this book, I suddenly understood things about specific pieces or about performance techniques that I had never even thought of as issues. His explanation for why left-hand-only piano pieces can be written, but right-hand-only cannot, for example, was elegant and profound. His excursis on Mozart's piano concerto No. 25 (K. 503) is a clear, concise manifesto not just on how to perform but on how to listen.
This is a fine book with many things to recommend it. If you're looking for Fleisher's life story, this is probably as good as any place to start. If you're looking for Fleisher's musicianship, you will be well rewarded for the time you spend with this book.