The Concert Pianist

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The Concert Pianist, Newly published novel about a pianist

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StuMac	Aug 31 2006, 10:37 AM Post #1
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1169 Joined: 5-April 04 From: Dundee, Scotland Member No.: 913	Ha anyone read this book? It's about a very succesful concert pianist undergoing a mid life crisis of confidence. He walks of stage on the opening night of a major concert series after telling the audience that he simply can't play for them. I'm about half way through it, and can't quite decide what I think about it. It's definately readable, although not always cheerful.

mwl1	Aug 31 2006, 11:12 AM Post #2
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 4893 Joined: 23-October 05 From: North Yorkshire Member No.: 5068	Sounds interesting - I'll check it out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Dulciana	Aug 31 2006, 12:53 PM Post #3
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 5718 Joined: 11-January 06 Member No.: 5811	Is it a true story?

StuMac	Aug 31 2006, 01:13 PM Post #4
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1169 Joined: 5-April 04 From: Dundee, Scotland Member No.: 913	No - fiction. Although the bit where he walked off stage made me think of Stephan Fry! A central theme is the effects of being a talented star. The central character is in his 50s, alone and has no children having sacrified normal life for music. He's suddenly thinking that it hasn't been worth it. One phrase that stuck in my mind was that whilst women have a biological clock, everyone has an "emotional clock" - life had just passed him by whilst he was living a jet set life style as an internationally famous pianist. Similar theme explored in "The remains of the Day" (although that was about a butler). The central character's world disintegrates around him after his abrupt depature from the stage. The same idea was looked at by David Lodge in "Therapy", although in a much more humourous way. Not a cheerful book, and I havn't made my mind up about it yet, but definately interesting and worth a read. A llot about music in it. He walked off stage 'cos he just couldn't face Chopin's Funeral March Sonata. There was quite a lot of talk about it at the Chetham's piano course, copies were on sale there.

Semele	Aug 31 2006, 02:11 PM Post #5
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1317 Joined: 9-March 05 Member No.: 3286	Hi Stu Is this it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0747580...ce&n=266239 Author: Conrad Williams. Something for me to order from the library. Sounds interesting.

StuMac	Aug 31 2006, 02:19 PM Post #6
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1169 Joined: 5-April 04 From: Dundee, Scotland Member No.: 913	That's it! I'm about half / a third of the way through at the moment.

La_Chopiniste_	Aug 31 2006, 07:31 PM Post #7
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2142 Joined: 13-November 05 From: Cairo, Egypt Member No.: 5249	Ooo, I'll have to check this out!

melody_maker	Aug 31 2006, 07:57 PM Post #8
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1370 Joined: 29-July 05 From: Oban / Aberdeen Member No.: 4278	Sounds quite good! I'll have to check it out! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

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