My Life with the Great Pianists
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Book Overview
Franz Mohr has been chief concert technician for piano maker Steinway and Sons for more than a quarter century. As the close colleague of legendary musicians such as Horowitz, Rubinstein, Gould, Serkin, and many others, Franz Mohr has attended to their instruments, making delicate adjustments that affect tone, balance, and other characteristics of sound. It is Mohr who enables virtuosos to fully realize their own individual interpretative styles and concepts of tonal color. Besides recounting his experiences as master piano technician, Franz Mohr helps us to understand the quest for perfection and sensitivity expressed in the lives of a select group of individuals, in the crafting of a piano, and in all of life. He shares his personal story and how his experiences have brought a deeper melody to his work. The life story of Franz Mohr is a collection of stories that reveal his love for music, the piano, the people who play it, and a God who has given him the talent to be a part of the world he loves.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0801057108
ISBN13:9780801057106
Release Date:July 1996
Publisher:Baker Books
Length:208 Pages
Weight:0.76 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"
Age Range:15 years and up
Grade Range:Grade 10
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
My Friend-Franz Mohr
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I am fortunate enough (or shall I say blessed) that I see Franz Mohr numerous times a year. He is a true friend of mine and is known in professional circles as the greatest piano technician ever. The man is a magician with Steinway pianos, bringing sounds alive in pianos as only he can. Any serious student of piano must read this book, to learn feeling in music and life. Franz has paid his dues, long ago. He enlightens us all with true tales of his many life journeys. Thank you Franz Mohr- Your true friend- Carl Accettola
Great book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
A wonderful book detailing the life of concert piano technician, Franz Mohr. He speaks extensively about Horowitz, Rubinstein, Cliburn and others. While reading the book, you feel like you are personally there...backstage. Mohr speaks of growing up in Nazi Germany, losing both brothers to World War II and coming to America. He speaks of working in Russia during the cold war. The chapter on WWII is worth the price of the book alone. About the only downside to this book is his regular preaching about becoming a "Born-Again-Christian". While that in and of itself isn't too bad, it does tend to be a little bit too much at times. The reader gets tired of Franz sentencing great pianists to Hell, because they don't share his "born-again" beliefs. All in all, it's a great book and the unique stories of his life, and the insight into what a good man he is, more than compensate for the occasional "judgement casting" of the masters that he does.
A Delightful Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This is book truly fascinating and well written. It is light and funny in the humerous stories and "inside" facts. But it also has a more serious side in the story of his early life in Germany and his unshakable faith in the Lord. It is easy and enjoyable reading for anyone and everyone interested in the performance of piano, great figures of piano, tuning of the piano, and the list goes on! I recommend it for the young and old.
Fascinating Horowtiz anecdotes
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I've read the book three times; the portrait of Horowitz is unforgettable. Because I found the book in a Christian book store, published by a Christian publisher, and cowritten by the well-known wife of an famous clergyman, I was neither surprised not disappointed by the author's -- quite modest and understated -- references to his faith, and its role in relationship to his work and clients. The book is well and simply written.
Great book for everyone!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 28 years ago
_My Life With the Great Pianists_ is an excellently written, humorous, and educational book. Franz Mohr worked with Horowitz, Rubenstein, and other great pianists, serving as their piano tuner. Here he reveals their idiosyncrysies and nervous moments. Mohr also writes about himself, telling of the ghastly destruction of his hometown in Germany during World War II, and gives his personal testimony of the hand of God in his life.
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