In this series of letters written between November 1869 and May 1875, a
young American pianist, Amy Fay, recounts the thrilling experience of
studying piano with such great teachers as Liszt, Tausig, and Kullak.
Printed 21 times in America, published also in London, and translated
into French and German, this book has clearly established its wide
appeal to music students.
The author describes the customs and mores, the place of interest, and
the people she encountered during her stay in Germany, then the music
capital of the world. In a vivid style and with youthful exuberance, she
imparts to the reader her impressions of performances by Anton
Rubinstein, Clara Schumann, Tausig, Liszt, the great violinist Joachim,
Wagner (as conductor), and other notables of music history. Her account
of a reception and concert in honor of Wagner is especially
fascinating.
But the sections of this entirely engaging work that are of primary
importance to music students, particularly to students and teachers of
the piano, are the author's detailed accounts of the teaching methods of
the great piano virtuosi. Interesting pictures of lessons of Tausig's
conservatory, of Kullak's teaching techniques, and, above all, a unique
portrait of Liszt the man, the teacher, and the performer emerge from
these letters. So valued are Amy Fay's impressions of Liszt, in fact,
that these sections alone are regarded as a miniature classic. For this
Dover edition, Professor Frances Dillon of the Mannes College of Music
contributed an informative introduction.
Because of her position as a student working closely with Liszt, Tausig,
Kullak, and Deppe, Amy Fay was able to reveal many little-known facets
of their work and their teaching techniques. Her obvious enthusiasm and
serious attitude towards her study make this a work of great liveliness
and rare insight. Not only students of the piano, but all musicologists
will find her comments and descriptions invaluable. And the general
reader should enjoy the many anecdotes and personal glimpses of these
famous names in music.
