(From the blurb)
In this remarkable memoir, Anna Goldsworthy recalls her first steps towards a life in music, from childhood piano lessons with a ...
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Apr 29, 2010
Choupette
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I have played a lot of music in my life - for fifteen of my first nineteen years I was towed off to multiple music lessons, made to practise nightly, coerced into joining consorts, ensembles, orchestras, quartets, choirs. At my peak I played four instruments competently to well (no longer, but that's another story), and there were people who said I had talent, though frankly I had no interest in developing it. Nonetheless, I had no idea there was as much to music as there is in this book. The wa
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Sep 11, 2011
Jillwilson
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If I were a smartarse, I would write: "As a writer, Anna Goldsworthy makes a great pianist" but the book deserves better than that. It is a memoir - of her growing up and learning to become a pianist under the tutelage of Mrs Sivan, an accomplished teacher. It's a very gentle book - even though the struggle to become an accomplished musician is clearly there along with the doubts and some teenage angst.
I failed the book - I don't have a good grasp of classical music an dth More...
I failed the book - I don't have a good grasp of classical music an dth More...
Feb 10, 2011
Kelly
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I won Piano Lessons from First Reads, and it's taken me awhile to formulate a review in my head. I didn't care much for this book but it's difficult for me to articulate why. While other readers say they flew through reading this book, I found the opposite to be true. I really struggled to finish it and honestly, if I hadn't won it from First Reads and promised to write a review, I'm not sure I ever would have. It's well-written but the subject matter just seemed to be lacking something. I
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Oct 17, 2009
Lisa
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I don’t usually read memoirs, but Anna Goldworthy’s Piano Lessons attracted me from the moment I first heard about it. When I was a little girl I had wanted to be a pianist and a writer: Goldsworthy is both and I wanted to know how she did it…
It wasn’t just talent, though she has it (and I never did). It wasn’t just hours of dedicated practice, though she realised long before I did that desultory efforts with the piano are not enough for success. Her story traces the elusive path More...
It wasn’t just talent, though she has it (and I never did). It wasn’t just hours of dedicated practice, though she realised long before I did that desultory efforts with the piano are not enough for success. Her story traces the elusive path More...
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Nov 17, 2010
Susan
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Nov 13, 2010
Denise
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I feel that this book would only be interesting to those people who have more than a passing knowledge of music. It is a look into the life (and early training) of a concert pianist. The depth of the love of music and composers is beyond what most of us understand. But I did enjoy the story of Anna's journey with her amazing piano teacher. I also liked the insight she shared into some of the composers she was studying, though I would have liked more exploration of their lives than she gave.
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Nov 26, 2010
Georgie
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I enjoyed this book having grown up in a similar environment and having gone through the music lesson mill myself. I did find the voice of the piano teacher a little irritating at times and also felt that the author had little choice but to become a musician given the enthusiasm of her father sitting in on two hour lessons etc. And I did wonder how you could fail an exam (6th grade?) with so much practice and such a brilliant teacher - something odd about that. A nice idea for a book and I en
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Jun 24, 2011
Gretchen
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Dear Mrs Miller: Thank you for taking on a gangly, awkward 14yo, and helping me to find my voice. 25 years later, I still get comments on what a great high school choir director I had. My response is that I did, but more than that, I had a great personal mentor. I miss you, and wish I had been able to say thank you before you left us.
Piano Lessons is Anna Goldsworthy's thank you letter to her teacher, Elenora Sivan. We meet them both when Anna is 9, and has her first encounter with h More...
Piano Lessons is Anna Goldsworthy's thank you letter to her teacher, Elenora Sivan. We meet them both when Anna is 9, and has her first encounter with h More...
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May 22, 2011
Barb
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I love music. I was brought up with it in my home as my mom played both the piano and the organ. Learning to play the piano was a struggle for me (I really never progressed much beyond being able to play some hymns and maybe 3 years of piano books?), so I really admire those who have the gift to bring such beautiful music out of the piano. I enjoyed "Piano Lessons" so much! Anna's portrayal of her teacher, Mrs. Sivan, and her own (Anna's) growth as a pianist is written in an engaging w
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Oct 12, 2010
Jane
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That went fast! A very enjoyable read. Anna does a great job of writing about herself as a child and teenager, with a lot of honesty and humour about herself and her failings. It was harder for me to get caught up in her discussions of music. Perhaps it would have helped if there was an accompanying CD of the pieces described. It was a bit like reading about Chippendale chairs and not knowing what they look like, or an in-depth restaurant review of food you'll never get to eat. It made me hungry
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Mar 16, 2010
Kari
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I received this book as a Christmas present from John & Erika and started reading it almost immediately.
It is an interesting memoir based around Anna's piano lessons - who is certainly a more dedicated piano player than I am. If I had Mrs Sivan as a piano teacher I think I would have quit lessons after the first month! A nice book and it was interesting reading the bits about Pembroke.
It is an interesting memoir based around Anna's piano lessons - who is certainly a more dedicated piano player than I am. If I had Mrs Sivan as a piano teacher I think I would have quit lessons after the first month! A nice book and it was interesting reading the bits about Pembroke.
Oct 27, 2011
Linda
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My anticipation was great before I opened the book and as I read through the storyline I found many parts of it boring but I drudged through it hoping that events would be interesting. For some reason unable to to have any like for Anna the pianist. At first I wanted to sympathize with her because it seemed her parents sorta pushed her into playing piano. Her desire was to sing professionally but I think that was just a child's dream as it seemed she did not possess talent in that musical endeav
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Dec 29, 2010
Anna
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Eleanora Sivan is such a wonderful piano teacher! (I love my own piano teacher who also speaks English as a second language.) I loved Goldsworthy's portrayal of her lessons and her teacher. And the arrangement into chapters under composers was cool. I wonder what Goldsworthy's piano playing sounds like?
Aug 11, 2011
Rachael
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This book made me think back to the time I was learning piano, and the surnames of composers sounded like familiar friends. And how much I hated practicing for an hour a day. Oh whoops, this was a book review... I had wiped that period out of my memory, but Anna Goldsworthy's writing brought it all back...
Apr 20, 2011
Suzy
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Bit of a mixed view for this book. Anna Goldsworthy is a good storyteller and manages to draw you into situations, which is good as I have a limited knowledge of music and don't play any instruments. However, because I'm not a musician I felt I didn't really get anything from this book, didn't feel inspired and quite often left wondering why this privileged girl complains so much.
She had an inspired, but eccentric piano teacher who was quite hard to follow with her various sayings. I More...
She had an inspired, but eccentric piano teacher who was quite hard to follow with her various sayings. I More...
Dec 08, 2010
Marsha
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What an amazing book. It was an epiphany for me in my struggle to play the piano well. Listening to what you play is as important as learning the notes. Anna Goldsworthy's teacher, Mrs. Sivan finally got to me after many years of just learning the notes. Goldsworthy writes so well that you think you are taking the lessons that she experienced. She also has a website and is on YouTube so that you can hear and see her.
Jun 17, 2010
Marco
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I laughed so hard reading this book but I also learnt so much about music from the wonderful Eleanora Sivan. Its definitely my favourite book of the last few years
Jul 18, 2011
Jennifer
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Autobiography of her journey learning the piano with an amazing teacher. It sounds boring but it wasn't. What it takes to be a great pianist.
Aug 31, 2011
♫Angielee♫
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I really like this book, but hesitate recommending it to any of my piano teaching peers. Although it has great analogy from Mrs. Sivian, the teacher from Russia, it also had a lot of material that would offend some of my nice friends.
As I started reading this book, I was surprised that it was based in Adelaide, Australia. I didn't realize that before i started reading. Being from Australia, however, means it at lot more laxed in language and subject material then my elderly fell More...
As I started reading this book, I was surprised that it was based in Adelaide, Australia. I didn't realize that before i started reading. Being from Australia, however, means it at lot more laxed in language and subject material then my elderly fell More...
Aug 11, 2010
Patrick
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Fabulous - a great read for any musician (especially amateurs like me!). Moving, inspiring, entertaining, and educating. And lots of wisdom.
Feb 16, 2010
Rosemary
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Absolutely delightful story of a magnificient piano teacher, but also a determined, almost(?) obsessive student growing up into a fine musician, a concert pianist.
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Mar 07, 2011
Christine
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I really did enjoy this book, although I am hugely bias as I am myself a musician. Anna hasn't done anything revolutionary in her life but it is a very useful and enjoyable read. I loved reading about all the different composers, and her teacher Mrs Sivan, who may I add is offically a genius in music. To non-musicians, I can understand how one may not prefer this book as it goes into a lot of depth in her love for music and composers and of course Mrs Sivan. It's brilliant however for those who
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Oct 07, 2010
Cel
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I loved this book which was borrowed from a library, and now I think that I would like to buy it so I can re read some of the words of wisdom that came from her piano teacher.
Dec 09, 2010
Carol
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I enjoyed this book only because it inspired me to put the book down and go play some great (for me) piano. Not a lot of depth to the story but somewhat interesting to anyone who has taken piano lessons and enjoys playing piano.
Feb 07, 2012
Rosemary
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Having seen that Helen Garner recommended it I was prepared for the worst, but it wasn't too bad! :) I could see which bits Helen Garner liked - the painful adolescent awkwardness - but overall it was gentle, insightful and beautiful.
May 07, 2011
June
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I really liked this book. Anyone who has ever had piano lessons should read it! Reads like a memoir and rings true. How to "fit in" and still be odd girl out for having a passion for practicing the piano!
Feb 13, 2011
Diane
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The reviews I read on this said that while some of this book was technical it was mostly a memoir. i would dispute that! It was very technical and if you are not an accomplished pianist it would probably be better to find something else to read!
Feb 07, 2012
