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y separately published work icon Piano Lessons single work   autobiography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2009... 2009 Piano Lessons
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'In this remarkable memoir, Anna Goldsworthy recalls her first steps towards a life in music, from childhood piano lessons with a local jazz muso to international success as a concert pianist. As she discovers passion and ambition, and confronts doubt and disappointment, she learns about much more than tone and technique. This is a story of the getting of wisdom, tender and bittersweet.

'With wit and affection, Goldsworthy captures the hopes and uncertainties of youth, the fear and exhilaration of performing, and the complex bonds between teacher and student. An unforgettable cast of characters joins her: her family; her friends and rivals; and her teacher, Mrs Sivan, who inspires and challenges her in equal measure, and who transforms what seems an impossible dream into something real and sustaining.' (From the publisher's website.)

Adaptations

Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2011 single work drama

'"Piano Lessons" will take the audience inside a musician's journey through a unique real-life performance. Concert pianist Anna Goldsworthy's deeply-felt memoir Piano Lessons comes to glorious musical life in this Queensland Music Festival world premiere. Goldsworthy's award-winning book, which recounts her musical awakening as a young girl, struck a deep chord with critics, readers and music lovers on its 2009 release.

Goldsworthy herself stars in the stage adaptation, which, like the book, elegantly illustrates the intriguing relationship between the young pianist and her Russian teacher. This charismatic enigma inspires and challenges her young charge in equal measure as they work through a program of sublime piano pieces, including selections from Mozart, Liszt and Chopin.

Part theatrical production and part concert, "Piano Lessons' will provide insight into the lives and inspirations of the great masters to expose the process of learning, interpreting and creating music.' Source: http://qmf.org.au/ (Sighted 17/06/2011).

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

This work has teaching resources.

Notes

  • Dedication: For Eleonora, and for my two Ruebens, who bookend these memories.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Melbourne, Victoria,: Black Inc. , 2009 .
      image of person or book cover 2539744785318301071.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 243p.
      Reprinted: 2009 , 2010
      ISBN: 9781863954433 (pbk.)
    • Collingwood, Fitzroy - Collingwood area, Melbourne - North, Melbourne, Victoria,: Black Inc. , 2023 .
      image of person or book cover 1213463142143829502.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 240p.
      Note/s:
      •  Published 29 August 2023

      ISBN: 9781760644864

Other Formats

  • Sound recording.
  • Large print.

Works about this Work

What I’m Reading Emily Brewin , 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Meanjin Online 2017;
Making the Sentences Sing : An Interview with Anna Goldsworthy Gillian Dooley (interviewer), 2017 single work interview
— Appears in: Writers in Conversation , February vol. 4 no. 1 2017;
'Dr Anna Goldsworthy is one of Australia’s foremost concert pianists, a founding member of the Seraphim Trio, and a Research Fellow of the J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice at the University of Adelaide. She is also a distinguished writer, the author of two books: Piano Lessons (2009), a memoir of her musical education and her relationship with her teacher, Eleonora Sivan; and Welcome to your New Life (2014), a memoir describing the arrival of her first child. She has adapted Piano Lessons for the stage, and also co-written a play with her father, Peter Goldsworthy, based on his novel Maestro (1989). She has also written many essays, including cultural and literary criticism. Given my own interests in music and literature and how the two art forms intersect and overlap, Anna’s dual career has always been an inspiration for me. I met her in her office at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide in November 2016.' (Publication abstract)
Music to Our Ears Barbara McKenzie , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Writing Queensland , November no. 202 2010; (p. 13)
Memoirs of a Hard-Won Success Laura Buzo , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Quadrant , November vol. 54 no. 11 2010; (p. 24-27)
Undercover Susan Wyndham , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 February 2010; (p. 26)
A column canvassing current literary news including a comment on Australian 'literary dynasties', particularly Peter Goldsworthy and his daughter Anna Goldsworthy.
Journey along a Classical Road Jo Case , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10-11 October 2009; (p. 31) The Age , 10 October 2009; (p. 27)

— Review of Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2009 single work autobiography
Untitled Deborah Bogle , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 10 October 2009; (p. 24)

— Review of Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2009 single work autobiography
Untitled Amanda Ward , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , October no. 356 2009; (p. 36)

— Review of Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2009 single work autobiography
Keys to a Musical Journey Robert Hefner , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 31 October 2009; (p. 16)

— Review of Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2009 single work autobiography
[Review] Piano Lessons Zora Simic , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Monthly , October no. 50 2009; (p. 70)

— Review of Piano Lessons Anna Goldsworthy , 2009 single work autobiography
Invaluable Lessons in Broken English Christopher Pearson , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 10-11 October 2009; (p. 2)
Page Turners Gillian Dooley , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , January no. 359 2010; (p. 27)
Undercover Susan Wyndham , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 February 2010; (p. 26)
A column canvassing current literary news including a comment on Australian 'literary dynasties', particularly Peter Goldsworthy and his daughter Anna Goldsworthy.
Memoirs of a Hard-Won Success Laura Buzo , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Quadrant , November vol. 54 no. 11 2010; (p. 24-27)
Music to Our Ears Barbara McKenzie , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Writing Queensland , November no. 202 2010; (p. 13)
Last amended 13 Apr 2023 13:27:01
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