Books

‘In any interpretation worth taking seriously, the personality of the performer plays a part,’ notes András Schiff in his fascinating memoir. Fortunately, Schiff proves just as thoughtful and appealing a character on the page as he does on the concert platform. Divided into two parts, the book opens with a wide-ranging Q&A between Schiff and writer Martin Meyer, where the pianist outlines his philosophies of music-making and recounts his journeyis a highlight) to the machinations of the music industry, including an enjoyable tirade against music competitions. Schiff writes with warmth and eloquence, although there are occasional misfires: his ‘Ten Commandments for Concertgoers’ only reinforces the sense that the concert hall can all too often be an unwelcoming place for the uninitiated. However, the book is otherwise a compelling read, offering rich insight into the life and ideas of one of the great musicians of our time. ★★★★