Toscanini

by Harvey Sachs

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) is the most famous operatic and symphonic conductor in history. When Harvey Sachs' Reflections on Toscanini was first published in 1978, it was acclaimed internationally as the definitive biography of the extraordinary maestro. Now Sachs has revised and expanded this classic book, further exploring the conductor's controversial musicianship, conducting, recordings, drastic rehearsal methods, and influence on repertory.

Genres: Music, Biography

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely enjoyable from start to finish, and balanced beautifully between the conductor's professional and personal life, this is one of the best biographies of anyone I've ever read. Toscanini was an amazing musician, a walking contradiction in his generosity of spirit, political ethics, his hurtful temper, and his many affairs, and Sachs does justice to all sides. Sachs notes that Toscanini began his conducting career while Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Verdi were still working composers, was a colleague of Puccini and Mahler, and ended his career in the age of televised concerts and vinyl LPs. He was an Italian patriot who despised Mussolini and the Fascists, and worked tirelessly raising money for the Allied cause in WW2. He promoted countless young composers, conductors and singers.
One of the best parts of the bio is a brief but penetrating essay on Toscanini's legacy, and the various views of what became known as the "Toscanini Question" among critics and philosophers of music.
Inspiring, with laugh-aloud moments, and touching, this book is as diverse as the great man himself. Go for it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly a major book. Not just about Toscanini, but about being a musician of extraordinary perception. Aside from the minute details of Toscanini's professional life, Sachs using new material fills out the contradictory (sometimes) more than life size personality of his subject. Both the strong love of his country, along with the ability to stand up for his political convictions are given strong coverage, but his failings in terms of his family and his many lovers are covered in great detail.

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth view almost a little too much information for a none musician. The infighting and politics of Toscanini's music world were astonishing. Captivating enough to pour through 864 pages. Great insights into a changing Italy and two world wars. Through it all Toscanini stayed true to his ideal of perfection in the execution of performance.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immensely informative; meticulously researched on two continents. The definitive biography on Toscanini. 326 pages, but felt like 100...

[Elizabeth Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and personal. I read it twice. Five stars.

[J.]

I absolutely loved this book. I knew that Toscanini was an important 20th c. conductor, but I did not realize what a strong commitment he had to democracy and how ardent an opponent of fascism he was. He was also a compulsive womanizer, but oh well...