Piano Lessons (book)

Piano Lessons
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."

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

  1. ↑ "Australian Book Industry Awards: 2010 Winners" (PDF). publishers.asn.au. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  2. ↑ "ABC Classic FM The Morning Interview: Anna Goldsworthy". abc.net.au. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  3. ↑ "Port Fairy Spring Music Festival". portfairyspringfest.com.au. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  4. ↑ "Anna Goldsworthy Interview". readings.com.au. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  5. ↑ "Macmillan: Piano Lessons". macmillan.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  6. ↑ "Piano Lessons the Film". pianolessonsthebook.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  7. ↑ "Reviews". annagoldsworthy.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  8. ↑ Kenny, James (October 2009). "Anna Goldsworthy's Piano Lessons". Australian Literary Review. 82 (03): 81–82.
  9. ↑ Case, Jo (6 November 2009). "Piano Lessons". The Age: 49.

Interviews

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