Horowitz: His Life and Music

by Harold C. Schonberg

"On April 20, 1986, the wheel came full circle for Vladimir Horowitz with an audible click, and he recognized it as such." So begins this definitive biography of the most electrifying piano virtuoso of our times, Vladimir Horowitz, describing his return to Russia after a sixty-one-year absence. From there, the book turns back to Horowitz's privileged and pampered childhood in Kiev, where he started to play the piano at the age of five. We then follow him through his tempestuous years at the Kiev Conservatory, which he entered before he was thirteen and where he was immediately at odds with all of his professors. He was already an individualist. We trace his development as an artist and his defection to Berlin in the turbulent aftermath of the Russian Revolution. We see him in Berlin and Paris, metamorphosed from a provincial to a colossus of the European stage. After his American debut in 1928 he becomes an awe-inspiring figure who is envied by musicians all over the world, exhibiting a kind of high-voltage playing that paralyzed audiences. Yet there was another side to him. There were times when he was invaded by demons, tortured by self-doubts. Author Harold C. Schonberg charts not only the course of Horowitz's many triumphs but also his mysterious withdrawals from the stage and other troubling aspects of the great pianist's life. This full portrait of Horowitz's life and music benefits particularly from hitherto unpublished anecdotes and information that derive from a series of taped interviews the author conducted with Horowitz toward the end of his life. Here is Horowitz the man, the musician, the icon, and even the raconteur. Through Schonberg's assessment of the special kind of genius that Horowitz brought to the piano and of his position among the other keyboard giants of his time, this biography is a panorama that takes in a good part of this century's piano world.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

427 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Harold Charles Schonberg was an American music critic and journalist, most notably for The New York Times. He was the first music critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1971). He was the author of a number of books on musical subjects, and also one on chess.

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schonberg's 1992 biography is a little more rote perhaps, a little less vibrant than David Dubal's, which was published a year earlier. I own Glenn Plaskin's 1983 bio but haven't read it yet. I was a little surprised; I assumed that Schonberg being a journalist and a classical music critic (for the New York Times) would have lent more verve to his writing. Maybe, having read the Dubal first, I felt like I wasn't learning much new about Horowitz. From both books you conclude that Vladimir and Wanda Horowitz were complete nutcases, the most selfish, neurotic people ever to grace planet Earth, people who should never have procreated. They were distant parents. Wanda had devoted her life to her father Arturo Toscanini up until her marriage, and from that point on devoted herself to Horowitz. Their daughter Sonia, an only child, was always left behind when Wanda toured with Horowitz, often on entirely different continents. She lived at boarding schools and was looked after by nannies and aunts. She ended up dead of an overdose of sleeping pills at age 40. Whether it was suicide or carelessness, the only conclusion one can come to is that her parents were responsible.

For yet another portrait of Horowitz, I recommend Franz Mohr's memoir. Mohr was a Steinway piano tuner, a man of character and insight who observed some of the century's greatest pianists up close. Steinway spared no expense when it came to Horowitz's concerts and travel, and Mohr traveled with him to take care of his personal piano.

The strength of Schonberg's book is his emphasis on Horowitz's performances, concertizing, and recordings, both in the text and in the lengthy double discography at the back of the book. I will admit to being a fence-sitter on Horowitz's pianism. Also, could no biographer get to the bottom of Horowitz's sexuality? Clearly this was a gay man married to a woman, but did he ever have other sexual partners than Wanda, other loves? No one seems to know.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the life and art of one of the 20th century's great musician and pianist. One day a more detailed and insightful biography will be written.

Blessed, or cursed, with one of the greatest pianistic gifts, Horowitz spent his entire life trying to prove that he is more than JUST a pianist. His gifts also led him to becoming self-absorbed and self-indulgent, leading to the alienation from his daughter, and tensions in his marriage.

The many sabbiticals that he imposed upon himself were often the results of a bad review, or some phychosomatic illness. All these things point to his basic insecurities in spite of his great gift.

Perhaps it was only in the last years of his life that he achieved some kind of peace with himself. In the last decade of his life, his concerts and recordings show that he no longer tried to "prove" himself as more than a virtuoso.

A sad life really, even if he did bring joy to so many through his music.

[Sigita San]

If you are like me, a fan of both - Horowitz and Schonberg - then you are up for a great read.
Mr. Schonberg represents an era of great writing - elegant, informative and loving towards his subjects.
Mr. Horowitz represents an era of great piano playing - romantic, electrifying and unforgettable.
Mr. Schonberg's account of one of the greatest pianists of all time to me is as beautiful as Kinderszenen played by Mr. Horowitz: it cascades seamlessly like a stream, giving an impression of effortlessness. However, such writing, as is such playing, is a demanding art form, requiring a lifelong devotion from the one who dares to practice it. Both represent a grand era of time and the reader can indulge in every sentence of it.
There is no malicious gossip in the book. Yet the writer mentions what needs to be mentioned, but for the sake of the facts, not rumours.
Since Mr. Schonberg himself is a lover of classical piano music, he provides Mr. Horowitz's insightful knowledge about the piano, which I'm sure will be relished by the music lovers.

[John Zobolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with the Rachmaninoff biography, a delightful reading.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Glenn Paskin's biography but this one is even better.

[Isidore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schonberg was a pleasing popularizer, and while there is nothing here to daunt the musical novice, the more experienced shouldn't feel insulted by it. His gift for conveying a sense of what a musical performance is like without resorting to technical language is evident. Good use is made of interviews, and there is a lively discography at the back. I could have done without the unjustified Cold War cultural triumphalism of the opening chapter.

[Jdamaskinos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disapontining! A vapid reading, an endless listing of maestro's concerts, programs and critiques with no interest or fascination for the reader. Unpleasant surprise; I did n't expect such a dull biography from Schoenberg, the gifted author of the marvellous 'The lives of the great composers'. Recommended only for Horowitz's aficionados...

[Blaine Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic life, absorbing read. Full of juicy anecdotes of Maestro Horowitz interacting with the greatest musicians, composers, conductors, and cultural elite of the 20th century. Schonberg writes authoritatively about the life of one of the 20th century's most electrifying performers. If you're a music lover, you won't be able to put this one down.

[Jwerck · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! One of the most engaging and fascinating biographies I've ever read.