Evenings With Horowitz: A Personal Portrait - Hardcover

Dubal, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559720948 ISBN 13: 9781559720946

Publisher: Birch Lane Pr, 1991

Synopsis

A close friend of the pianist details the enigmatic life of a genius whose music inspired millions around the world with anecdotes of his friendships, ruminations of his dreams, and confessions of his fears

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Concert pianist Vladimir Horowitz (1904-1990), known for his inaccessibility to the public, lived with his imperious wife, Wanda (Arturo Toscanini's daughter), in the isolated splendor of their New York City townhouse. In 1979, Dubal ( Conversations with Menuhin ) was admitted to that inner sanctum to record a series of interviews with the pianist for the New York radio station WNCN, and the insecure and secretive Horowitz took a liking to him. From 1985 to 1988 they met weekly at Horowitz's home, occasionally with Juilliard piano students Dubal brought along. While the conversation, as Dubal reports it in this account, is sometimes stilted, it is always engrossing; for Horowitz--childish, narcissistic and unpredictable--could be both charming and abrasive. Dubal presents a candid portrait of Horowitz, whose vulgarity and lack of tact often startled his visitors, as well as a sensitive appraisal of his playing. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

Dubal, broadcaster, concert pianist, and faculty member at Juilliard draws upon his knowledgeable background to produce a fascinating portrait of the brilliant and electrifying pianist Vladimir Horowitz. Dubal spent many evenings with Wanda and Vladimir Horowitz in their home and in restaurants. Discussions ensued on repertoire, stylistic interpretations, tastes of audiences, other famous pianists, favored composers, and even such nonmusical topics as care of animals, modern-day presidents, and American youth. Dubal provides a rare and intimate glimpse of Horowitz and illustrates the precariousness of accommodating the temperament of a genius. Complementary works are Dubal's The Art of the Piano ( LJ 9/1/89) and Glen Paskin's Horowitz: A Biography (Morrow, 1983).
- Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Birch Lane Pr
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 1559720948
• ISBN 13: 9781559720946
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 321