Piano Lessons (book)
 | |
| Author | Anna Goldsworthy |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia, United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Classical music |
| Genre | Autobiography, music |
| Publisher | Black Inc |
Publication date | 2009 |
| Media type | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, e-book |
| ISBN | 978-0-312-64628-8 |
| 786.2 GOL | |
Piano Lessons is a 2009 award-winning[1] non-fiction book by Australian classical pianist Anna Goldsworthy, artist in residence of Janet Clarke Hall[2] and artistic director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.[3]
In Piano Lessons, Goldsworthy documents her piano study from a young age under the Russian emigre Eleonora Sivan.[4]
Originally published in Australia in October 2009 by Black Inc., the US rights were sold to American publisher St. Martin's Press[5]
The film rights to the book have been sold to director Ana Kokkinos.[6]
Synopsis
Goldsworthy was nine years old when she met Eleonora Sivan, a charismatic Russian émigré and world-class pianist who became her piano teacher. Piano Lessons documents what Sivan brought to Goldsworthy's lessons: a love of music, a respect for life, a generous spirit and the courage to embrace a musical life.
Critical reception
The US Poet Laureate, Philip Levine, said of Piano Lessons, "I have never read a better depiction of a great mentor and of how true learning takes place. Every teacher of anything should read this book. Twice."[citation needed]
The book was received positively by Australian critics.[7]
The Australian Literary Review called Piano Lessons a "wonderful story, elegantly told",[8] broadsheet The Age said that it was "multi-layered, rich with meditations on identity, creativity, ambition and achievement; deeply felt without a hint of sentimentality. This impressive debut will surely mark Anna Goldsworthy's arrival as an Australian writer to be reckoned with."[9]
Awards
Piano Lessons was shortlisted for a number of awards including best non-fiction at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards as well as best non-fiction at the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards. Goldsworthy won Newcomer of the Year at the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards.
References
- ^ "Australian Book Industry Awards: 2010 Winners" (PDF). publishers.asn.au. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "ABC Classic FM The Morning Interview: Anna Goldsworthy". abc.net.au. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Port Fairy Spring Music Festival". portfairyspringfest.com.au. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Anna Goldsworthy Interview". readings.com.au. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Macmillan: Piano Lessons". macmillan.com. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Piano Lessons the Film". pianolessonsthebook.com. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Reviews". annagoldsworthy.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Kenny, James (October 2009). "Anna Goldsworthy's Piano Lessons". Australian Literary Review. 82 (03): 81–82.
- ^ Case, Jo (6 November 2009). "Piano Lessons". The Age: 49.
Interviews
- "Anna Goldsworthy", interview with Anna Goldsmith, readings.com.au, 1 October 2009
- "An interview with Anna Goldsworthy", discussion with Black Inc., 29 September 2009
- Audio: ABC Radio National, The Music Show with Andrew Ford interview with Goldsworthy
External links
- Video – Video of the Australian book launch of Piano Lessons
- Book website – Official page for Piano Lessons
- A blog for the book
- Audio: Popular Twitter site
- Audio: Excerpt from the audio book version of Piano Lessons