Horowitz: His Life and Music

By Harold C. Schonberg

Book Overview

"On April 20, 1986, the wheel came full circle for Vladimir Horowitz with an audible click, and he recognized it as such." So begins this definitive biography of the most electrifying piano virtuoso... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671725688
• ISBN13: 9780671725686
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 427 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

If you love Horowitz you will also want to read this book.

Of course, the greatest testimony to Horowitz that we have left are his recordings. Nothing could capture the magic of a live performance with this genius. I have heard hundreds of magnificent pianists, but there was truly something special about the sound Horowitz made at the piano. He had more shades and colors than anyone else. And I have never heard anyone play with such a soft and quite sound that still had this ability to fill a large hall like Hill Auditorium. I believe it was his ability to play so soft that made his ability to play loud seem so much more powerful than anyone else. Still, we like to read about his life. This is a good book life treatment of his life. Since you can pick it up used for a few dollars, you should do it. We get to learn about his life and travails (and he had many). We get lots of anecdotes that are certainly worth re-telling. Schonberg also gives us a better idea of what the life of a performing artist is and the stresses of life on the road. The author also provides an interesting discography that gives us a great idea of what his recording career was like. Of course, in our time of CDs, not too many of us are going to seek out vinyl, but it provides ideas of what to look for on CD.

A must for all Horowitz fans

This biography of the legendary pianist is very impressive and interesting to read -- what is interesting is the life and anecdote of the pianist; what is impressive is the style of the author. It is a detailed account punctuated by humor and insight. On the other hand, compared to the 'Great Pianists'(also by Mr. Schonberg), the author's stylistic whimsical jokes are handled with much greater care - perhaps not to cause unwanted bitterness among Horowitz fans! Like Hilary and Jacky, this book dashed the mystery most people have towards geniuses. The success of geniuses often results in pain for others, especially those who are close to them -- Sonia Horowitz is an acute example. Personally, I find this one of the most touching episodes in the book. If Rachmaninov is 'god for many pianists', as Pletnev says, Horowitz is surely idol for them.

Informative, engrossing, a pleasure to read !

At last, an in-depth, informative, engrossing book whose subject was a giant.........Horowitz. Mr. Schonberg's articulate style, vast musical expertise and genuine account of this amazing virtuoso is a pleasure to readers of the book... Many thanks, Mr. Schonberg !

Wonderful work

Mr Schonberg demonstrated expert musical criticism and personal devotion to his difficult subject. Biographical information is plentiful and accurate, including insight into Horowitz' everyday life and manners. Musical comments on recordings are somewhate more controversial, with a bitterness in respect to Horowitz' last recordings that I find hard to understand. Anyway, an indispensable book.

Horowitz admirers will enjoy and treasure this book!

Most biographies are boring, but this one is not! Highly entertaining and historically informative, this book is a must for anyone interested in Horowitz's art and life. You won't put it down until you've finished reading it!