Toscanini

Rating:
Summary: An excellent biography of Toscanini.
Review: Toscanini has been the subject of several biographies. Those that focus primarily on his life (George Marek's book, now out of print comes to mind) tended toward uncritical idolatry and provided little, if any, original research. Other books, by Charles Marsh and B.H. Haggin, are primarily studies of Toscanini performances, and not biographies per se. Sachs's book is the first to combine traditional biographical techniqes with an evaluation of Toscanini's art. What emerges is a well-written work that provides a full portrait of Toscanini, warts and all. As balanced as it is, the book nonetheless conveys the author's love of his subject. Also, the author's music background brings to life many details of Toscanini performances in a way that nonmusicians will enjoy.