Book Review: Maestros and their Music

Book Review: Maestros and their Music

Author: John Mauceri, Conductor
Publisher: Knopf

Author John Mauceri's Official Website and Wikipedia Entry.

Serendipity again! As I am a frequent visitor to the local library, I  chanced upon this book by a solid, though under-appreciated conductor, John Mauceri.

I came to know Mauceri through a few theater work recordings and, most importantly, through his participation in Decca's excellent En'tracte series of Composers suppressed under the Nazi rule.

Here are some reviews of this book: Amazon Reviews; OperaNews; Wall Street Journal (this one by no less than a fellow conductor, Leon Botstein).

The cited articles are enough to relay the essence of the book. Suffice to say, I was thoroughly captivated from start to finish, and the author's command of English is superior, his anecdotes plentiful and to-the-point and tasteful. This book actually attempts to visually "illustrate" the importance of even one note and the art of conducting. I'd say, it is a unique book. This book is likely available at your local library, and HIGHLY recommended!