This book, being a 'collaboration' of two exceptional musicians, the astounding Pablo Casals & the multi-talented David Blum,is a great asset to anyone genuinely interested in musical interpretation.
It is not in anyway a dry 'Oxonian' musicologist-style book, but shows great insights into what makes the written score live, and enables music to breathe. It includes many detailed musical examples and is therfore of particular benefit to pratising musicians, but the book is at the same time... more info
who cares?:
Who cares what Casals thought about music? If you listen to his interpretation of the Bach Suites- it's shocking- at least compared to 100 different cellists performing them. So, to make it quick: Casals is the most overrated cellist of all ages!
a MUST- READ for Musicians!:
From Blum's first discussion of the "First Principle" through his Casals-inspired revelations about melodic shape, dynamics, and rhythm, this book is invaluable as a guide for true artistic expression. The line between music as a set of performance skills and as an interpretive art is clearly drawn, and the spirit of Casals beckons all of us who would be truly inspired musicians
An approachable text on interpetation from a master musician:
David Blum writes an insightful and rewarding text based on notes taken from rehearsals, master classes, and personal conversations with Pablo Casals. According to Blum, the idea for the book came from Antony Hopkins who encouraged him to take his notes and memories and document them so that other musicians could benefit from Casals' musicianship. The book provides a study of the "laws of music" or "laws of nature" which Casals considered to be the essential elements of meaningful interpretation. The text... more info
