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emiged's review against another edition
4.0
Alice’s Piano is a straightforward, chronological biography of Alice Herz-Sommer’s amazing life. It was originally published in German as Ein Garten Eden immitten der Holle (or A Garden of Eden in the Middle of Hell), which perfectly describes what she created, along with the other Jewish musicians who were imprisoned in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. They produced operas, choir performances, orchestras, chamber concerts, all on the most ramshackle of instruments, often from scores reproduced from memory. They refused to give up their humanity in the face of the great inhumanity that surrounded them.
Alice loved music from a young age and showed great promise as a pianist, performing with the Czech Philharmonic at the age of 20 and winning numerous competitions and accolades. Music pervaded every part of her, body and soul, and she loved it deeply. When her piano teacher suggested that she didn’t need to practice for four hours every day because “an hour or two would be quite enough to make progress with your talent,” she replied, “But it gives me so much pleasure…There is nothing lovelier than learning a new piece.”
That love of music sustained her in the concentration camp. She performed more than 100 concerts entirely from memory during the almost two years she was at Theresienstadt, and rotated through several programs that included challenging pieces by Beethoven, Schumann, and Smetana. A highlight of the book was the detailed description of her performances of Chopin’s twenty-four Etudes. Each Etude itself was described, as well as Alice’s performance, often in the words of other survivors who were present or through reviews written at the time. And each Etude was also matched with the story of a friend or compatriot of Alice’s in the concentration camp, some of whom survived and many of whom did not. These brief sketches of just a few of the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust provide a poignant reminder that these were unique individuals, not faceless numbers.
Alice and her son Stephan were liberated from Theresienstadt in 1945. Alice’s husband, Leopold, had been transported to Auschwitz after about a year in Theresienstadt, and then later to Flossenburg and Dachau, where he died. Alice tried to recreate a life for herself and her son in Prague, but found it unwelcoming and inhospitable to Jews after the war, so she emigrated to the newly formed country of Israel, where she spent 25 years as a professor of music at the Jerusalem Conservatory. Finally, in 1986, she moved to London to be closer to her son, now a celebrated concert cellist. Though he passed away in 2001, she continues to live there today.
There are a few awkward phrasings in Alice’s Piano, not uncommon in a translation, but that does not diminish the beauty or power of Alice’s story. It’s truly affecting to read of this woman’s inspiring strength and optimism.
Read more on my blog Build Enough Bookshelves
Alice loved music from a young age and showed great promise as a pianist, performing with the Czech Philharmonic at the age of 20 and winning numerous competitions and accolades. Music pervaded every part of her, body and soul, and she loved it deeply. When her piano teacher suggested that she didn’t need to practice for four hours every day because “an hour or two would be quite enough to make progress with your talent,” she replied, “But it gives me so much pleasure…There is nothing lovelier than learning a new piece.”
That love of music sustained her in the concentration camp. She performed more than 100 concerts entirely from memory during the almost two years she was at Theresienstadt, and rotated through several programs that included challenging pieces by Beethoven, Schumann, and Smetana. A highlight of the book was the detailed description of her performances of Chopin’s twenty-four Etudes. Each Etude itself was described, as well as Alice’s performance, often in the words of other survivors who were present or through reviews written at the time. And each Etude was also matched with the story of a friend or compatriot of Alice’s in the concentration camp, some of whom survived and many of whom did not. These brief sketches of just a few of the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust provide a poignant reminder that these were unique individuals, not faceless numbers.
Alice and her son Stephan were liberated from Theresienstadt in 1945. Alice’s husband, Leopold, had been transported to Auschwitz after about a year in Theresienstadt, and then later to Flossenburg and Dachau, where he died. Alice tried to recreate a life for herself and her son in Prague, but found it unwelcoming and inhospitable to Jews after the war, so she emigrated to the newly formed country of Israel, where she spent 25 years as a professor of music at the Jerusalem Conservatory. Finally, in 1986, she moved to London to be closer to her son, now a celebrated concert cellist. Though he passed away in 2001, she continues to live there today.
There are a few awkward phrasings in Alice’s Piano, not uncommon in a translation, but that does not diminish the beauty or power of Alice’s story. It’s truly affecting to read of this woman’s inspiring strength and optimism.
Read more on my blog Build Enough Bookshelves
sholloway56's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
beckyboo326's review against another edition
4.0
This incredible true story brought me to tears and left me inspired. wow. The writing style wasn't 4stars impressive, but the content more than made up for any writing cliches.
uberbutter's review against another edition
4.0
Alice’s Piano: The Life of Alice Herz-Sommer by Melissa Muller
349 pages
★★★★
In February of this year there were reports of the world's oldest known Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer, passing away at the age of 110 years old. As is the norm for me, I had to know more about this woman and asap! What an extraordinary life this woman lived. In 1943, Alice and her family were sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Many of Alice’s family and friends would perish in the next couple years but she stayed alive and kept her son alive by her talent alone, piano playing. She would play over 100 concerts for the guards, visitors (such as the Red Cross – concert were held as a cover to the deplorable conditions), and even fellow prisoners. She often felt guilty for the fact that she got to live when so many others didn’t but she would live her life to the fullest during her stay in the concentration camp and for many, many years after liberation.
This was such an interesting story about an incredible woman. There are people who have been through far less than she did and can’t begin to hold the amazing attitude she carried until the end. This is was a well written biography of Alice. Obviously the main focus of this book follows her time in the concentration camp but the life she led before and after are also well chronicled throughout. I will admit to getting bored in places but only due to my lack of knowledge. When the author delved into other composers and music I can only say I know a little about it and it left me wanting to get back to Alice’s story. Overall a wonderful and quick read. This woman really was an amazing person; I wish I could have met her.
349 pages
★★★★
In February of this year there were reports of the world's oldest known Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer, passing away at the age of 110 years old. As is the norm for me, I had to know more about this woman and asap! What an extraordinary life this woman lived. In 1943, Alice and her family were sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Many of Alice’s family and friends would perish in the next couple years but she stayed alive and kept her son alive by her talent alone, piano playing. She would play over 100 concerts for the guards, visitors (such as the Red Cross – concert were held as a cover to the deplorable conditions), and even fellow prisoners. She often felt guilty for the fact that she got to live when so many others didn’t but she would live her life to the fullest during her stay in the concentration camp and for many, many years after liberation.
This was such an interesting story about an incredible woman. There are people who have been through far less than she did and can’t begin to hold the amazing attitude she carried until the end. This is was a well written biography of Alice. Obviously the main focus of this book follows her time in the concentration camp but the life she led before and after are also well chronicled throughout. I will admit to getting bored in places but only due to my lack of knowledge. When the author delved into other composers and music I can only say I know a little about it and it left me wanting to get back to Alice’s story. Overall a wonderful and quick read. This woman really was an amazing person; I wish I could have met her.
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