Writing

Piano Lessons


"Marvellous. Enlightenment and joy on every page." Helen Garner


This is a story of the getting of wisdom, tender and bittersweet.

In this superb and original memoir, Anna Goldsworthy recalls her first steps towards a life in music, from childhood piano lessons with a local rock muso to international fame as a concert pianist. As she discovers passion and ambition, and confronts doubt and disappointment, she learns about much more than tone and technique.

Goldsworthy evokes the hopes and uncertainties of young adulthood, the fear and exhilaration of performing, and the complex bonds between teacher and student. An unforgettable cast of characters joins her, drawn with wit and affection: her parents; her fellow musicians, both friends and rivals; and her schoolmates, in all their teenage glory.

Above all there is her teacher, Mrs Sivan, enigmatic, charismatic and intimidating all at once.

"I loved this book. Anna Goldsworthy's memoir left me awed, inspired and humbled." Alice Pung



Extract

'How is your Debussy?' Mrs Sivan asked the following week, as I sat down at her piano.
'Fine, thank you,' I replied.
She became impatient. 'I wait for the day when you come to me and say I can't live without Debussy, I am passionate about this music, my existence is in these sounds.'
Her eyes blazed, and I stared back at her, chastised. I couldn't imagine these words coming out of my mouth. I wouldn't trust them. Imagine saying something like this at Pembroke next year, to Harriet or Georgina!
'Debussy is painting alive,' she continued, more mildly. She opened my Children's Corner to the The Little Shepherd. 'Not interested in this shepherd as character, at what he is feeling and thinking. No way! Debussy interested in this little shepherd only as picture.'
She played the opening flute solo, applying her hands to the keyboard like paint.
'Listen to acoustic effect,' she whispered. 'Vibration ... reverberation ... reflection.'
I could almost see ripples in the air, as the sound travelled to the walls and returned to us.
'You think I cannot do crescendo on one note?' she asked, defiantly. She drew a D from the piano and her eyes widened as, against all the laws of physics, it seemed to grow louder. 'The piano is instrument of fantasy, of projection,' she beamed. 'Limited only by your imagination.'
I felt confused. Was it possible to create a crescendo through sheer force of will, or was she enlisting me in a delusion? I pressed experimentally on the D. It fell to the carpet with a dull thud.


Available in all good bookstores now



About Anna Goldsworthy

Anna Goldsworthy is an Australian classical pianist and writer. In October 2009 her memoir Piano Lessons will be released in Australia by publisher Black Inc and in the US by St Martin's. From 2010 she will be Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival. A Board Member of the Australian Book Review, Anna is Artist-in-Residence at Janet Clarke Hall at the University of Melbourne, and a founding member of the Seraphim Trio.

Reviews

""Marvellous. Enlightenment and joy on every page."
Helen Garner

"...storming the pianistic ramparts with talent and determination."
The Australian

"...this artist dominates her medium, instrument and expression to a degree that is extraordinary."
Estia, Athens