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hannahmayreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I was sceptical about this book when it first appeared on a reading list for one of my university classes. It wasn't very enticing, to say the least. But, I have found myself turning page after page late into the night as if it had some magical hold over me. I have no idea what it was! It is well written, and the process behind learning to play the piano is fascinating, and yet nothing much happens. Nothing much at all - the tale is so simple. Maybe I'm missing something, but I really don't mind as I found it to be a really great book. If you are musical, perhaps you will find what I could not...
I felt at once frustrated by and in awe of Goldsworthy. Her attitude drove me mad - why could she not understand? Why was she being so ridiculous about it all? Why, why, why!! Ultimately though, she has such an incredible talent that little else really matters. She overcame many personal demons to achieve her dreams: to become a concert pianist. Despite the frustration, you want her to succeed.
And Mrs Sivan is such a magical creature. She is what truly made the book, and appropriately so as Goldsworthy owes much of her success to Sivan. This book is as much Goldsworthy's memoir as it is an ode to the woman who meant so much to her.
I felt at once frustrated by and in awe of Goldsworthy. Her attitude drove me mad - why could she not understand? Why was she being so ridiculous about it all? Why, why, why!! Ultimately though, she has such an incredible talent that little else really matters. She overcame many personal demons to achieve her dreams: to become a concert pianist. Despite the frustration, you want her to succeed.
And Mrs Sivan is such a magical creature. She is what truly made the book, and appropriately so as Goldsworthy owes much of her success to Sivan. This book is as much Goldsworthy's memoir as it is an ode to the woman who meant so much to her.
louiseallan's review against another edition
4.0
I learned piano as a child and gave it up at fourteen, a decision I will regret for the rest of my days. My kids now learn music, all four of them. I’m quite, how should I put it, uncompromising, some say obsessed, about their music. Perhaps it’s because of my unfulfilled dreams, but I don’t think so. Nor do I think it’s because of the benefits to their brains or their academic learning.
Anna Goldsworthy’s list of credentials is as long as your arm, as are her awards and positions. She is Research Fellow at the JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice at the University of Adelaide, Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, and founding member of the Seraphim Trio (Read more about Anna). Piano Lessons itself has won many awards and is to be made into a movie.
The book is Anna’s memoir of her childhood piano lessons with her teacher, Mrs Eleonora Sivan. Anna is nine-years-old at the start of the book and Mrs Sivan had recently emigrated from Russia to Adelaide, South Australia. From the first lesson, Anna knows this teacher is special. She encourages Anna to see that music lives, that it has personality, and that to play it, she needs to take it inside of her and make it part of her.
‘Your hand and your instrument are one, not two, and your music inside of you.’
Each chapter of the book is named after the composer whose piece is brought to life in that chapter. The memoir concentrates on Anna’s school years, and takes the reader through the pressures of practice, competitions, auditions, recitals, and exams. Alongside the usual teenage pressures, the reader sees the self-imposed discipline and the hours and hours of practice that this young girl puts in as she strives for music perfection. She shares both her successes and her failures.
My copy of the book is completely defaced – I fell in love with so many of Mrs Sevin’s words of wisdom. There are far too many to quote here, but one of my favourites is, ‘Never beautify Mozart. He is beautiful enough already. He does not need your make-up.’ I also loved Mrs Sevin’s comments on each composer — she knows so much about their lives. On Chopin, for instance, ‘Piano is his best friend. More. He tells piano all his secrets,’ and, ‘George Sand not the true love of Chopin’s life. This is. This instrument.’
This story is a tribute to Mrs Sevin, and illustrates how much a great teacher brings to the musical journey of their student. Oh that all music teachers had her knowledge and love of music! But the story is Anna’s. You cannot read it without a growing admiration for Anna herself. For the quiet, gawky girl who hopes to become a concert pianist, who battles her introverted self and bares her soul for music. And in this book.
Anna now tours, presenting recitals during which she reads from her memoir and plays the music. My son and I were lucky enough to attend one of her gigs a few weeks’ ago in Perth. It was an intimate and thoughtful evening of beautiful words and music. She then signed the book for my son, ‘from one pianist to another’. He was thrilled!
Of course, every piano teacher should read this book. But it’s not just for teachers of piano — any music teacher will appreciate it. Indeed anyone learning a musical instrument or who has children learning music would gain much from reading it. After reading, you’ll be in love with this teacher and in search of your own Eleonora Sevin. Unless, like me, you’ve already found her.
Anna Goldsworthy’s list of credentials is as long as your arm, as are her awards and positions. She is Research Fellow at the JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice at the University of Adelaide, Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, and founding member of the Seraphim Trio (Read more about Anna). Piano Lessons itself has won many awards and is to be made into a movie.
The book is Anna’s memoir of her childhood piano lessons with her teacher, Mrs Eleonora Sivan. Anna is nine-years-old at the start of the book and Mrs Sivan had recently emigrated from Russia to Adelaide, South Australia. From the first lesson, Anna knows this teacher is special. She encourages Anna to see that music lives, that it has personality, and that to play it, she needs to take it inside of her and make it part of her.
‘Your hand and your instrument are one, not two, and your music inside of you.’
Each chapter of the book is named after the composer whose piece is brought to life in that chapter. The memoir concentrates on Anna’s school years, and takes the reader through the pressures of practice, competitions, auditions, recitals, and exams. Alongside the usual teenage pressures, the reader sees the self-imposed discipline and the hours and hours of practice that this young girl puts in as she strives for music perfection. She shares both her successes and her failures.
My copy of the book is completely defaced – I fell in love with so many of Mrs Sevin’s words of wisdom. There are far too many to quote here, but one of my favourites is, ‘Never beautify Mozart. He is beautiful enough already. He does not need your make-up.’ I also loved Mrs Sevin’s comments on each composer — she knows so much about their lives. On Chopin, for instance, ‘Piano is his best friend. More. He tells piano all his secrets,’ and, ‘George Sand not the true love of Chopin’s life. This is. This instrument.’
This story is a tribute to Mrs Sevin, and illustrates how much a great teacher brings to the musical journey of their student. Oh that all music teachers had her knowledge and love of music! But the story is Anna’s. You cannot read it without a growing admiration for Anna herself. For the quiet, gawky girl who hopes to become a concert pianist, who battles her introverted self and bares her soul for music. And in this book.
Anna now tours, presenting recitals during which she reads from her memoir and plays the music. My son and I were lucky enough to attend one of her gigs a few weeks’ ago in Perth. It was an intimate and thoughtful evening of beautiful words and music. She then signed the book for my son, ‘from one pianist to another’. He was thrilled!
Of course, every piano teacher should read this book. But it’s not just for teachers of piano — any music teacher will appreciate it. Indeed anyone learning a musical instrument or who has children learning music would gain much from reading it. After reading, you’ll be in love with this teacher and in search of your own Eleonora Sevin. Unless, like me, you’ve already found her.
arifareads's review
5.0
This book is very un-putdown-able! I will always keep Mrs Sivan's wise teachings about musicianship and life close to my heart.
shubheksha's review
4.0
What a wonderful lil book about the beauty embedded in the piano and the transformative power of a great teacher. <3
mandyla's review
4.0
Sweet and quick story about coming of age through music. Very enjoyable and enlightening.
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