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Violin Dreams
“A rapturous, witty, and passionate memoir ... Violin Dreams is not only the story of a man becoming an artist, it’s a history of twentieth-century music.” — John Guare, Tony Award–winning playwright
Arnold Steinhardt, for more than forty years an international soloist and the first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet, brings warmth, wit, and fascinating insider details to the story of his lifelong obsession with the violin, that most seductive and stunningly beautiful instrument. His story is rich with vivid scenes: the terror inflicted by his early violin teachers, the sensual pleasure involved in the pursuit of the perfect violin, the charged atmosphere of high-level competitions. Steinhardt describes Bach’s Chaconne as the holy grail for the solo violin, and he illuminates, from the perspective of an ardent owner of a great Storioni violin, the history and mysteries of the renowned Italian violinmakers.
Violin Dreams includes a remarkable CD recording of Steinhardt performing Bach’s Partita in D Minor as a young violinist forty years ago and playing the same piece especially for this book. A conversation between the author and Alan Alda on the differences between the two performances is included in the liner notes.
Arnold Steinhardt, for more than forty years an international soloist and the first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet, brings warmth, wit, and fascinating insider details to the story of his lifelong obsession with the violin, that most seductive and stunningly beautiful instrument. His story is rich with vivid scenes: the terror inflicted by his early violin teachers, the sensual pleasure involved in the pursuit of the perfect violin, the charged atmosphere of high-level competitions. Steinhardt describes Bach’s Chaconne as the holy grail for the solo violin, and he illuminates, from the perspective of an ardent owner of a great Storioni violin, the history and mysteries of the renowned Italian violinmakers.
Violin Dreams includes a remarkable CD recording of Steinhardt performing Bach’s Partita in D Minor as a young violinist forty years ago and playing the same piece especially for this book. A conversation between the author and Alan Alda on the differences between the two performances is included in the liner notes.
255 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 21, 2020
Do not read this book if you want a lofty account of the life and travels of a famed virtuoso violinist- you’ll be disappointed. Reading this book is like hanging out in a coffee shop and talking about life (the highly stylized life of an instrument of art, true) with your great friend Arnold Steinhardt- who just happens to be a international solo violinist and first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet.
He’ll drag out the family stories about his Jewish family and the village in Dlugosiodlo, Poland where they had lived. He’ll lower his voice and chuckle as he recounts George Szell’s “Border Collie” supervision of the minutest details of orchestra life such as his preference that people not “display one’s pubic hair in public” (a beard) or play poker during intermission (as it is corrupting.) On the flip side, Szell sponsors Arnold’s trip to Geneva, Switzerland to study with Joseph Szigeti at Szigeti's home which overlooks Lake Geneva, and takes great personal interest in helping him find just the right violin (a process which Steinhardt describes in terms of dating and marriage).
There are several themes that recur throughout his journey in music and life which tie the book together- much like recurring themes in a musical composition. One is none other than Bach’s Chaconne, which he tackles through inspired angles and theories including architecture which he pursues in conversation with his architect- friend.
The Chaconne captures Steinhardt early in life and never lets him go. It is an astounding work that is among the most difficult for a violinist to master both in terms of technicality and understanding. Its scope is as large as life and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the art for a violinist. Brahms wrote of the Chaconne in one of his letters “On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind.”
The other prominent theme is revealed in the title of the book. This book is about dreams literally, through dreams that seep into his unguarded mind at night and exploit his hopes and fears to reflect his life back to him. It is also about the pursuit of personal dreams in his life and their impact upon identity. Let’s face it, career is life-consuming in his profession. The man hikes the Inca trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu with a group and has to lug his violin with him so he can practice along the way.
All along the way Steinhardt recounts many anecdotes from his life and from the profession. Some are humorous such as pricey violins being soaked in gasoline (his own, in a fluke accident that was only funny in retrospect) or even floating out to sea, the look on the customs officials faces after he responded to the question about the name and price of his item (Stradivarius violin).
Steinhardt’s journey is sometimes frightening and tinged with despair as when dealing with an unexplained and continued weakening of a finger on his left (string) hand. “The act of moving one’s arms, hands and fingers over and over again in a very specific way, perhaps hundreds of thousands of times in a given year, is a risky business.” Other times he exposes his romanticism, as when he journeys to play a tribute in the birthplace of his beloved violin or to play at the grave of Bach’s long deceased wife who had never heard the Chaconne (I get chills just typing this).
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves music and appreciates the people who devote their lives to honoring the art, the composers and the audience.
[As a bonus the book comes with a wonderful CD of Steinhardt playing Bach’s Partita in D Minor which includes the Chaconne, in 1966 and 40 years later in 2006.]
He’ll drag out the family stories about his Jewish family and the village in Dlugosiodlo, Poland where they had lived. He’ll lower his voice and chuckle as he recounts George Szell’s “Border Collie” supervision of the minutest details of orchestra life such as his preference that people not “display one’s pubic hair in public” (a beard) or play poker during intermission (as it is corrupting.) On the flip side, Szell sponsors Arnold’s trip to Geneva, Switzerland to study with Joseph Szigeti at Szigeti's home which overlooks Lake Geneva, and takes great personal interest in helping him find just the right violin (a process which Steinhardt describes in terms of dating and marriage).
There are several themes that recur throughout his journey in music and life which tie the book together- much like recurring themes in a musical composition. One is none other than Bach’s Chaconne, which he tackles through inspired angles and theories including architecture which he pursues in conversation with his architect- friend.
The Chaconne captures Steinhardt early in life and never lets him go. It is an astounding work that is among the most difficult for a violinist to master both in terms of technicality and understanding. Its scope is as large as life and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the art for a violinist. Brahms wrote of the Chaconne in one of his letters “On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind.”
The other prominent theme is revealed in the title of the book. This book is about dreams literally, through dreams that seep into his unguarded mind at night and exploit his hopes and fears to reflect his life back to him. It is also about the pursuit of personal dreams in his life and their impact upon identity. Let’s face it, career is life-consuming in his profession. The man hikes the Inca trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu with a group and has to lug his violin with him so he can practice along the way.
All along the way Steinhardt recounts many anecdotes from his life and from the profession. Some are humorous such as pricey violins being soaked in gasoline (his own, in a fluke accident that was only funny in retrospect) or even floating out to sea, the look on the customs officials faces after he responded to the question about the name and price of his item (Stradivarius violin).
Steinhardt’s journey is sometimes frightening and tinged with despair as when dealing with an unexplained and continued weakening of a finger on his left (string) hand. “The act of moving one’s arms, hands and fingers over and over again in a very specific way, perhaps hundreds of thousands of times in a given year, is a risky business.” Other times he exposes his romanticism, as when he journeys to play a tribute in the birthplace of his beloved violin or to play at the grave of Bach’s long deceased wife who had never heard the Chaconne (I get chills just typing this).
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves music and appreciates the people who devote their lives to honoring the art, the composers and the audience.
[As a bonus the book comes with a wonderful CD of Steinhardt playing Bach’s Partita in D Minor which includes the Chaconne, in 1966 and 40 years later in 2006.]
August 6, 2017
Arnold Steinhardt was first violinist of the legendary Guarneri String Quartet, and this book is a memoir of that, of his professional career as part of that ensemble. But it is also about one of the most sublime - and most difficult pieces - in the violin repertoire, J.S. Bach's six partitas and sonatas for unaccompanied violin (no where to hide), and in particular the D Minor Partita, and especially the final movement of that, the chaconne. Many believe that the chaconne, which is as long as the first four movements of the D Minor Partita combined, was a lament for the loss of his wife, who died while Bach was accompanying his employer, Prince Leopold, as he traveled in Europe, something he did in the company of his paid retinue, which included his musicians. No cell phones in those days, no telegraph, no telegram. Bach's wife was fine when he left, but when he returned home two months later it was to the shock of finding she had died and been buried while he was gone. The chaconne is extraordinary. The book includes a CD with two recordings of it made by Steinhardt, separated in time by 40 years. It's fascinating to listen to the two, something I did almost obsessively every day for about a month! Steinhardt performed the piece on two different violins, but that's not the essence of the difference between the two performances. Both are great, don't get me wrong, but the depth of feeling of the latter performance is profound. Steinhardt is on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music. After reading his book, I took the free, self-paced Coursera course he co-hosts on The World of the String Quartet. It's a great (and fun) course (and Steinhardt speaks passionately and movingly about music and performance) and I highly recommend it: https://www.coursera.org/learn/string...
May 23, 2017
I wasn't sure at times if I may lose interest because the book is all about violins, like more than most of us really want to know, but the author's delightful personality and writing ability made the book a success. My favorite part was when he walked into a violin store and the expert behind the counter told him everything the author owned was a fake and the author rushed out of the store before he was also accused of being a fake.
As an artist, I saw so many comparisons to my line of work. It made me think about my genealogy of art teachers, my artist mother and aunts who molded me and encouraged my art career and the importance of practice.
I've never been a fan of Bach, but Arnold gave me a new appreciation for the composer. The CD was missing in my book, but I plugged in many of the songs mentioned in the book into my Alexa app and read along with the music. It was a great learning experience. I also loved the author's mention of dreams as I too am guided often by my dreams.
As an artist, I saw so many comparisons to my line of work. It made me think about my genealogy of art teachers, my artist mother and aunts who molded me and encouraged my art career and the importance of practice.
I've never been a fan of Bach, but Arnold gave me a new appreciation for the composer. The CD was missing in my book, but I plugged in many of the songs mentioned in the book into my Alexa app and read along with the music. It was a great learning experience. I also loved the author's mention of dreams as I too am guided often by my dreams.
March 2, 2017
I can't believe I finally finished it. This isn't exactly a whale of a book but I haven't been able to get through it for a very long time, reading a couple of pages, then putting it down for several months. Well, from time to time Arnold Steinhardt struck me as being a bit haughty and self-important, and I would enjoy a little more humour and a little less flowery language. However, the book is filled with love for violin and I enjoyed it, learnt and hopefully remembered some new information from it. It was exciting to get a peek at the life of a top-notch violinist. I think I'll read the other book by Mr Steinhardt one day.
March 19, 2018
Basically an autobiography of Arnold Steinhardt with the Chaconne angle shoehorned in for (?)marketing purposes. Since I came for the Chaconne and didn't even know who Steinhardt was beforehand, the book was a fail for me.
Even in the scant Chaconne parts, insight was thin. Once again I was reminded that someone can be really good at something, yet totally inadequate to describe the experience. (See also: professional athletes.)
Steinhardt recorded the Chaconne once in 1996 and again in 2006 in connection with this book. You can hear them here.
Even in the scant Chaconne parts, insight was thin. Once again I was reminded that someone can be really good at something, yet totally inadequate to describe the experience. (See also: professional athletes.)
Steinhardt recorded the Chaconne once in 1996 and again in 2006 in connection with this book. You can hear them here.
September 24, 2024
This was a selection for a book club (musical instrument on cover). I had low expectations but was very pleasantly surprised. The book is autobiographical of a professional and well known violinist. He talks about some of the various violins he owned and lovingly cared for. And the events of his life while he owned them. The violins were characters with whom he interacted. Each violin had a personality of tonal quality and temperament. Part of the interaction was to understand the strengths and shortcomings of each one—and coax, charm, or command the best performances. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
August 29, 2024
Great book for classical music lovers. I found the story of author's life interesting and learned a lot about violins and what it's like to play one as a career. Inspired me to give the old Bach another listen, even though his era isn't really my cup of tea in music. At some point I'll probably also pick up Arnold's other book which focuses on the actual Guarneri Quartet, but for now I'll need a short break from reading about stringed instruments.
November 22, 2017
Steinhardt's story of his life as a violinist. Material on his early years of study, choosing a succession of violins over his career, interpretation of music, his travels and more. A fascinating insight into what a virtuoso hears and sees in music.
August 21, 2018
As a newbie violinist, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to enjoy an autobiography of a professional violinist. I was pleasantly surprised. This book wasn’t overly technical and was a great glimpse into the life of someone who has dedicated his whole life to the instrument.
February 6, 2022
Reading this book makes me want to learn violin again, play Bach’s Chaconne, and travel to Cremona…
September 14, 2012
A great read. Some fascinating anecdotes from the musical world, and a vivid insight into the life, thoughts, and dilemmas of a top performing violinist. A must for violin lovers and an inspiration to all (us) struggling musicians (unless you are put off by statements like: if you don't start learning the violin until age 13 then you are in for a long, uphill struggle...).
The sections about the amazing Bach Chaconne (around which the book revolves) are fascinating. The suggestion that Bach wrote it as an addition to his D minor partita, as an expression of grief after learning of the death of his wife, is an intriguing one. It reminds me of Thomas Hardy, who detested his first wife Emma, but following her death produced some of the most heart wrenching poetry of lost lost ever written.
4 stars not 5 because the writing is a litle simplistic, almost childish and a little corny in places, but the content more than makes up for it.
The sections about the amazing Bach Chaconne (around which the book revolves) are fascinating. The suggestion that Bach wrote it as an addition to his D minor partita, as an expression of grief after learning of the death of his wife, is an intriguing one. It reminds me of Thomas Hardy, who detested his first wife Emma, but following her death produced some of the most heart wrenching poetry of lost lost ever written.
4 stars not 5 because the writing is a litle simplistic, almost childish and a little corny in places, but the content more than makes up for it.
July 28, 2011
I was deeply impressed and moved by this book. While I will never be a violinist, but now I know what it's like to be one His struggles with the Chaccone and to find the best possible instrument will always be with me. Fortunately, I grew up listening to classical music, so the names of violinists from the early 20th mean something to me. As my parents and grandparents listened to many of the same recordings that he did. So when he spoke of these masters, many years dead - I could remember hearing them on old records from my childhood (and more recently YouTube)
The enclosed CD with the authors rendidtions of the Bach partida made in 1966, then in 2006 were interesting and illustrative of the ongoing story - but far better recordings exist elsewhere elsewhere - indeed mostly by deceased masters like Isaac Stern who he lavishly praises in his book.
The enclosed CD with the authors rendidtions of the Bach partida made in 1966, then in 2006 were interesting and illustrative of the ongoing story - but far better recordings exist elsewhere elsewhere - indeed mostly by deceased masters like Isaac Stern who he lavishly praises in his book.
July 27, 2008
Steinhardt writes wonderfully. This is a delightful book that celebrates music and the violin. As an amateur violinist, I love these sorts of stories from professionals. Few are this well written though. The exploration of Bach's D Minor Partita came at a great time for me, since I'm beginning the non-Chaconne movements of the piece this month. The two recordings (40 years apart) of the Chaconne that appear on the CD included with the book really demonstrate the depth that can come with age and experience. I'm not sure why the music industry insists on marketing the 20 year olds so heavily when a mature artist can play like this!!
January 20, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Arnold Steinhardt is a fine writer as well as a superb violinist, and he tells a compelling story both of his life and the history of violins. He spends quite a lot of time explaining how his teachers taught him and also on musical interpretation -- all the considerations and decisions that add up to how a musician plays a particular piece. I would guess this book appeals most strongly to musicians, whether professional or amateur. There's also a CD that comes with the book!
March 4, 2012
The first violinist of the Guarneri Quartet has written a very enjoyable book about his growth and development as a violinist. Revolving around several performances of the Bach Chaconne (disk included with the book), the book documents his schooling, his search for violins, his teachers an dthe groups he has played with. I loved it, but I play violin. Audience for this book is probably limited to musicians and music lovers.
January 5, 2015
A most enjoyable memoir by violinist Arnold Steinhardt. I learnt a lot about the life of a violinist, J S Bach's Chaconne, choosing a violin, Curtis School of Music and Guarneri String Quartet. The book includes a CD of the author playing the J S Bach Partita (which includes the Chaconne) in two different performances
June 26, 2015
This is an autobiography, a peek inside the life of a concert violinist, a history of the violin itself, and a 40-year search for the meaning of Bach's Chaccone. The CD included with the book really added a lot to the experience of "Violin Dreams". You can hear Steinhardt as a young man play the Bach pieces in question and then the same works recorded much more recently.
January 28, 2019
Arnold Steinhardt's anxiety violin dreams provide a backdrop for his journey from ordinary youngster with ambitious parents to becoming a world-class violinist. Searching for the perfect, yet affordable violin brought him in contact with fascinating people in exotic places. He provides a glimpse into a world that I could only "dream" about. :)
September 5, 2008
This book is as eloquently written as Arnold Steinardt (1st violininst of the Guarneri String Quartet)plays his violin. There is also a cd with the most important work he discusses with two of his different recordingss using different violins etc. Beautiful.
November 26, 2009
This was the book i heard discussed on the radio. It is well written and comes with a CD of his playing which made it a good purchase. I believe Mr. Steinhardt's book "Indivisible by Four" is more globally interesting and better written. I recommend both books together.
May 7, 2010
I love this book! It makes me immensely sad to be learning to play the violin at 40 but hopeful that the forcing of my 8 year old daughter to practice, practice, practice can result in something amazing!!!
March 30, 2007
Fun book....a glimpse of life as a professional violinist.
February 9, 2008
A glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of a professional violinist. Loved the writing and the content.
April 20, 2009
A quick read. Highlights about author's upbringing and some significant events in his life, interweaved with the violin he was playing at that time. Am now searching for his recorded music.
February 3, 2010
I got it for X-mas. Its pretty precious so far.
September 18, 2011
I love Professor Steinhardt and have a big fat musical crush on him and wish I would appear in one of his violin dreams along with Bach and a host of others.
May 2, 2015
A fun little book about the life of a 20th century violinist (who was very well connected in the world of music, as evidenced by all the name dropping)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews