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Title: The Adventures of a Cello
Author: Carlos Prieto
Narrator: John T. Arnott
Format: Unabridged
Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-30-17
Publisher: University Press Audiobooks
Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Music
Publisher's Summary:
A delightful biography of a celebrated Stradivarius cello and an inviting overview of cello music and musicians by world-famous concert cellist Carlos Prieto.
The book is published by University of Texas Press.
"Music as a great adventure of mind and body: this is what Carlos Prieto gives us in this spirited book." (Carlos Fuentes)
"Carlos Prieto is a true champion of the cello." (Yo-Yo Ma)
Members Reviews:
I Wanted the Cello to Tell its Own Story
I bought this book because I am in the process of buying an 18th century cello for my son, a young cellist. I wanted to be inspired by the history of the Piatti Strad, to imagine the life of an instrument through the illustrious example of Carlos Prieto's renowned cello. In fact, I was inspired. I loved the part of this book that dealt with the instrument itself; from its maker to its eccentric owners and unlikely travels, I was mesmerized. I even found several historical tidbits about people or places associated with my son's cello. Unfortunately Mr. Prieto, apart from his outstanding musicianship, is a generator of lists. Lists, though valuable in a limited sort of way, are often not very interesting. Prieto's lists are not more exciting or engaging because they were generated by a musical genius and the book suffers as a result. Prieto's comments on the political atmospheres of the countries he visits with his cello are equally uninteresting. My knowledge of Spanish and Latin American classical music and composers, however, has been vastly improved and for this I am grateful. I would have liked to enjoy the acquisition of that knowledge a tiny bit more than I did.
Bought the CD - Got the Book Free
In truth, I bought the book for the enclosed CD but to my surprise, found the book a good read. Prieto is a truly remarkable man - MIT trained engineer, executive, musician and writer, with a truly remarkable instrument - the Piatti cello. The history of stringed instruments is well told as is the history of the Piatti instrument. Anecdotes about composers and musicians are entertaining and many of them new. The section about the cello repertoire is superb and will generate a long list of new must-listen-to music for many readers (the CD helps shorten that list). Only in the center section where Prieto details (and I mean details) his tours in diary format does the book drag. You can skip that part and miss little other than the ego stroking (and impressive) list of Prieto's commissioned, dedicated and premiered works.
Five Stars
Love this book very impressive. I did finish it in one night.
Chelo Prieto Buys a Plane Ticket
This is a highly personal and very candid narrative of being a cellist, concertizing all over the world, encouraging composers to write cello concertos and other pieces, knowing other musicians including cellists, etc. The book contains chapters focusing on the author's career, including lists of programs for different cities in different years. It also explores the history of the Stradavarius the author owns -- the Piatti cello. The author named his cello and has some stories of the cello traveling like a person. Another section recounts the history of cello music. The book has numerous photos of the author with instrumentalists such as Yo-Yo Ma, various composers, conductors and others. It was written in Spanish and ably translated. The new edition also contains a CD at the back -- Prieto's performances.
