Fiddling With Life: The Unusual Journey of Steven Staryk

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Summary: fiddling with life
Review: The topics covered in this book give a great insight into the world of the orchestral musician. I found the chapters on various conductors and performance techniques quite educational. The writing style is fluid and stylish while imparting a wealth of information.

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Summary: A review of Fiddling With Life
Review: What a story! What a life. Why? Because for this reader, the excitement of discovering a musical genius of our time is a peak experience. This is a world class violinist who somehow managed to escape the public eye, yet he was concertmaster of not one, but four world class orchestras: the Royal Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw, the Chicago Symphony, and the Toronto Symphony. His discography reads like a summary of the violin literature. His students are in professional orchestras throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. And, unlike most violin virtuosi who find one great instrument, he has owned many in his 50 year career. Documenting them in detail in this book! Although tarred by McCarthy politics in the 1950's he went on to become the concertmaster of the Royal Philharmonic by the age of 24, earning the title"king of concertmasters" from the Strad. magazine. The book documents in realistic detail the real world of a professional violinist. If you are even remotely interested in the shadowy side of the classical music business, the roiling dynamics of a professional orchestra, unrealistic academe, great violins, and the vagaries of a professional career, you'll want Fiddling With Life. What a story!