The memoir of the pianist Leon Fleisher, who can trace his teacher ancestry back to Beethoven through his teacher Schnabel. Fleisher was a child prodigy, full of promise, playing with the best orchestras and giving recitals in New York's Carnegie Hall. That in itself is a compelling story, but then tragedy struck, in the form of what we would call now a repetitive stress injury, or dystonia, or carpal tunnel syndrome. He lost the use of his right hand for playing the piano.
The memoir details that life-changing injury and Fleisher's attempts to cope, as well as his three marriages, five children, and countless musician friends and colleagues. It is an informative, if not inspiring, read. The writing is low key and personal, as if Fleisher were sitting next to you, talking about his life. An added benefit for musicians are several "master classes" of important pieces of piano literature, in which Fleisher gives his personal views on interpretation.
