Robert Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Robert Schumann was far ahead of his time, not least in his attitude to children and young people; his 1850 'Advice for Young Musicians', originally created to accompany his famous 'Album for the Young', remains as relevant today as when it was written. Celebrated cellist Steven Isserlis adds his own extensive commentary to Schumann's words of wisdom. The advice is by turns practical, humorous, and profound, making this volume a must for all aspiring musicians of all ages and standards.

Book Synopsis

If everybody were to play first violin, we could not have an orchestra. Therefore respect each musician in his own place.

There is no end to learning.

Originally published in1850, Advice to Young Musicians: Musical Rules for Home and in Life offered composer Robert Schumann's (1810-56) combination of practical advice and poetic words of wisdom for young people beginning their musical education. Presented in aphorisms and short paragraphs, the book's insights remain as valuable today as when it was written. Recognizing the continued resonance of Schumann's words, world-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis, himself a writer of children's books and many articles for young musicians, set out to rescue the work from history. Here, in this beautiful gift edition, he revisits Schumann's work and contributes his own contemporary counsel for musicians and music lovers.

For this edition, Isserlis retranslated Schumann's text and arranged it into four thematic sections: "On being a musician," "Playing," "Practicing," and "Composing." Each page is decoratively designed, and accompanying Schumann's original quotation are Isserlis's thoughtful and often humorous glosses. The book concludes with Isserlis's own reflections on his life as a musician and performer: "My Own Bits of Advice (For What They're Worth)." The result is a unique and thought-provoking book that will be treasured by aspiring musicians of any age.

Review Quotes

"Isserlis takes Robert Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians a sentence or so at a time, offering explanation and commentary that let Schumann talk directly to us, in an open and somehow contemporary manner. The advice is all superb, but, as Isserlis notes, it can seem overwhelming. Schumann does recommend that his young musician break up study with walks and poetry, but executing all his recommendations would leave little time for the rest of life."-- "Times Literary Supplement"

About the Author

Steven Isserlis appears as a cellist regularly with the world's leading orchestras and in recitals at major venues worldwide; he is also the artistic director of the famous International Musicians' Seminar at Prussia Cove, Cornwall. In addition, he is the author of two children's books, Why Handel Waggled His Wig and Why Beethoven Threw the Stew: And Lots More Stories About the Lives of Great Composers.