From Publishers Weekly

These intelligent conversations will be greeted enthusiastically not only by string players and serious musicians but also by advanced listeners. A musicologist and conductor, Blum knows from experience what crucial questions to ask about the medium and its practice. The members of the Guarneri Quartet discuss their backgrounds, training, cooperative efforts, problems with specific repertoire, and reactions to composers and conductors, as well as such detailed matters as bowing, intonation, vibrato, pizzicato, dynamics and the use of the left hand. Enhanced by hundreds of music examples and a detailed analysis of Beethoven's Opus 131, this is arguably the best book on the subject and one of the most important books on music issued in recent years. Performing Arts Book Club selection.

Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In a series of lively discussions, intelligible to any music lover who ever played a stringed instrument, members of the Guarneri Quartet not only reveal the close ties that exist between players who have worked together for over 20 years but, on a more sophisticated level, provide an undogmatic blueprint for studying and rehearsing string quartets, complete with musical examples. The book's final pages explore, measure by measure, the Quartet's approach to practicing Beethoven's Opus 131. Repertoire is discussed superficially; choice of editions and performing styles of different eras are not discussed at all. Nevertheless, amateur to professional chamber musicians will find this book invaluable, especially since there are virtually no others on the subject. Recommended for music libraries. Performing Arts Book Club selection. Philippa Kiraly, Cleveland

Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.