Violin Dreams by Arnold Steinhardt
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Book Reviews of Violin Dreams
Book Review: An apt title
Summary: 5 Stars
As others have said, this is a good read.
Personally though, it becomes evident the author is becoming more and more at home with his dreams (in general) and what they might mean for/to him as the book unfolds. A myriad of unconscious mechanisms are required to do virtually anything in the world, so the fact that the author embraces his subconscious, in the form of dreams, and quotes several dream memories in his book, makes it an all the more honest and accurate account.
The author also begins to delve into what death meant to Bach, finding his wife had died suddenly, and to the author himself. This appears as the realization, 'if you arent anything without the violin, you arent anything with the violin, either'.
If the book had a sequel it would invariably get further and further into the authors own perceptions of himself, his dreams, and how the seemingly separate elements of those two are intimately intertwined. As the song says: verily, verily, verily, verily -life is but a dream.
A violin dream in the authors case :-)
Book Review: Chaconne
Summary: 5 Stars
Charming and engrossing book about playing the violin and trying to come to terms with one of Bach's great masterpieces. In my opinion the book is at its best when it is about music and the violin - which is most of the time. I'm less convinced by the sections designed to give it universal appeal and at times the style gets a little too folksy. However, it is full of wonderful detail and has got me playing the Chaconne (in Steinhardt's impassioned performance on the CD) in the car all the time. And given me an entirely new understanding of what a violin is. And we see the true apostolic succession - that of the artist - the present standing upon the achievements of the past - we see that at work. The idea of dancing the Chaconne suffuses the book with a feeling of what it means to be human and mortal. A lovely work.Book Review: Violin Dreams, a marvelous book
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Mr. Steinhardt's book in almost a single sitting. His explication of Bach's D minor partita, and particularly its final movement "chaconne" should be required reading for every serious, classical violinist. Despite my many years of involvement with the instrument, both as a dealer and amateur player, I was fascinated with Mr. Steinhardt's search for a suitable violin. Having heard the Budapest Quartet, it was a revelation to me that he acquired Joseph Roisman's fiddle; so appropriate that it would pass from one great quartet leader to another. A small error in the book was the date given for Jascha Heifetz's memorable Carnegie Hall debut; it was in October of 1917, not 1918. Aside from that
the book is a page turner, beautifully written and very personal.
Book Review: Portrait of a Musician
Summary: 5 Stars
Although some reviews of this book will likely recommend it for a narrow audience such as chamber musicians or classical musicians, the book really should have wider appeal. It is really about discovering your talent, working hard to develop it and finally using it to the best of your ability. This something that would be valuable for all people, especially young people.
An alternate title could have been "Violin Memories". The book was written by a man in his sixties. He remembers the name of his first violin teacher and the closet in his boyhood room. Probably a memory well-developed from remembering all those musical passages.
Book Review: Violin Dreams... A dream of a book.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a chamber music fan for over 50 years, and Arnold Steinhardt's playing has contributed to my enjoyment of the art over many of those years.
His first book gave me an appreciation of the challanges faced by chamber musicians. This new book is so much more! Here he puts into words just what music does for the soul, and (who thought it possible) greatly increased my appreciation of what I was hearing.
An added bonus is the CD! It amplifies much of the discussion in the book, though the book itself is a virtuosic performance! Thank you Arnold Steinhardt, for again enriching our lives!