In this book Carl F Flesch paints an intimate portrait of his father and the world of pre-War central European classical music of which he was part, together with many of the musicians and composers who were his contemporaries. This book forms a fascinating complement to his father's well-known autobiography.
Among the classical musicians of the pre-War period described are the pianist Artur Schnabel, with whom Carl Flesch collaborated for many years, and Alma Moodie, who was the foremost female violinist of the 1920s and 30s. Due to the fact that she left no recordings, she has been largely forgotten.
The author has some significant observations on the pitfalls of being the son of a famous father and writes about such topics as child prodigies and their parents, the reality of performance and much else. The title And do you also play the violin? was usually the first question the author was asked by strangers as a child.
The book, which has also ben published in German, received widespread critical acclaim. It includes a foreword by Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Published by Toccata Press, London
ISBN: 0-097689-36-1 and 0-097689-37-X
Prices: £17.50 hardback; £9.50 softback
| Extracts from Reviews | ||
| I am not exaggerating when I say that this book is unlike any other ever written... Few novelists could have put it so neatly. Anyone interested in music and human beings (not necessarily in that order) will be fascinated by this extraordinary, delightful book. The Spectator, London | ||
| Unique perspective...analytical ability. Classical Music, London | ||
| Provocative ant thoughtful. A book worth reading. Musicology, Australia | ||
| A wealth of authentic new material. Neue Bibliotheksbücher, Switzerland | ||
| Fascinating reading....I highly recommend this book. Strings (USA) | ||
| Compelling reading... The section dealing with Willem Mengelberg being particularly illuminating... Fascinating insight...behind the facade of such legendary figures as Kreisler, Ysaye, Elman and Hubermann. Anecdotes are liberally added." Strad, London | ||
| Brilliant, stimulating......this informative fascinating book...individual, unorthodex and unbiased...A fresh and unprejudiced look at old-established viewpoints sometimes leads to conclusions as surpring as they are sound... Neue Zeitschrift fuer Musik, Germany | ||
| Originality, humour and delicious anecdotes... A particularly well-written book. Entre'Acte, Holland |
Obtain historic Carl Flesch recordings, re-released after re-mastering by authentic transfer process
Symposium's highly acclaimed three disc set of recordings of Carl Flesch from 1905 to 1936 feature rare and previously unissued material, including concertos, sonatas and encore pieces by Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Suk etc.
