Forever Music: A Tribute to the Gift of Creativity

by Edith Schaeffer

With her husband, the late Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer, Edith co-founded L'Abri Fellowship, the international study center and Christian community in Switzerland. Her many books include A Celebration of Marriage, Affliction, and Forever Music.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

EDITH SCHAEFFER is the widow of Francis Schaeffer, and with him co-founder of L'Abri Fellowship. Her many books include A Celebration of Children and The Life of Prayer. She passed away in 2013.

Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Francis A. Schaeffer authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into a score of languages and sold millions worldwide. He and his wife, Edith, founded L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Schaeffer passed away in 1984, but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.

children: Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Reviews

[Andrew Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have the unique confluence of interests that this book represents, then it is a good fit. As a meandering meditation on the gospel of Jesus, creativity, and piano music, it fits right into my lanes. On the one hand the book isn't super well organized and covers many themes in a somewhat chaotic fashion. On the other hand, there are many profound insights along the way. Since I am already REALLY into classical music, it is very valuable to have Edith's thoughts about many related topics, such as her ruminations on what the potentially positive relationship between Mozart and Salieri could have looked like, or the incredible histories of the Steinway and Stradivarius families. Her idea of "leftover beauty" goes a long way towards describing what it is that art and music actually do. I would say the book is not too long to prohibit someone interested in these subjects from mining a lot of gold out of it, even if its not perfectly edited and succinct. And of course, anything about Franz Mohr is invaluable.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edith Schaeffer wrote this book in 1985, some time after the death of her husband Francis Schaeffer, the Christian apologist. She blends the gospel with the history of their Steinway piano, stories of great pianists, and much else piano-related.
I loved this book, but then again I'm fairly obsessive about Pianos, Pianists, and the gospel. I appreciate that others may not be as enthralled as me.
The only off-note that I'd highlight is the feeling that some of her analogies between Pianos and the gospel, come across as a slightly forced or predicable after a while. But overall, it was excellent.

[Poiema · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for piano lovers. Edith Schaeffer strikes a parallel between her marriage, and the Steinway Grand piano that was "born" the same year that she and Francis wed. Along with the memoir of her nearly 50 years of marriage, Edith also weaves the history of the Steinway that would come to her possession shortly after her husband's death. It's an interesting arrangement, interspersed with thoughts about music and creativity and how the soul of man craves beauty even when walking through the shadow of death.

Edith turned a corner in the last half of the book, sharing her extensive research into the inner workings of a Steinway, and the meticulous craftsmanship required to bring it to perfection. She takes the reader along to the Steinway factory and we learn the process from beginning to end. While her foray into the factory had elements of interest, the didactic tone in this portion of the book caused my attention to wane.

I did, however, enjoy a chapter that focused on Franz Mohr's life. Franz was the venerable piano technician that Steinway employed for decades to fine tune their instruments to the specifications of great concert pianists. I had "met" Franz in a previous book, A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano, the story of pianist Glenn Gould. I love these connections! I do believe Franz Mohr's life is colorful enough to merit his own book.

I have always admired Edith Schaeffer, and I felt a polite sort of enjoyment of this book but have to admit it didn't light any fires. 21//2 stars

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely book from the pen of Edith Schaeffer.