Rudolf Serkin: A Life
*Starred Review* Given a self-effacing biographical subject--"All I did," Serkin (1903-91) averred, "was practice, practice, practice"--Lehmann and Faber exploit the publicness of being one of an era's finest pianists to produce this absorbing account of a musician qua musician. The first three chapters trace Serkin's life but include remarkably few anecdotes of family and friendship. Serkin's exceptional talent was recognized very early, and he was accepted very early by his peers, which for him meant becoming inextricably involved with the German violinist Adolf Busch (1892-1952). Serkin was Busch's preferred pianist in duo, orchestral, and chamber performances; in 1935 he married Busch's daughter; and he kept Busch before the public after their intertwined families fled from the Nazis to the U.S., where his star flared as Busch's dimmed. The remaining three chapters focus on Serkin's performing, teaching, and directing of the summer Marlboro Festival, which he and Busch founded to nurture chamber music performance in America. Between these latter chapters, excerpts of conversations with Serkin pupils and associates fill out the portrayal of him as rather a high priest of music, one distinguished by his belief that the greatest music was always greater than any performer of it, including himself. A profoundly rewarding book--not least for the accompanying CD of previously unissued public performances--about a profoundly influential musician.Ray OlsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved