Full Description
During a career spanning more than 50 years, pianist Helmut Deutsch has accompanied over 100 singers, including Ian Bostridge, Grace Bumbry, Diana Damrau, Brigitte Fassbaender, Jonas Kaufmann, Angelika Kirchschlager, Camilla Nylund, Christoph Pregardien, Mauro Peter, Hermann Prey, Thomas Quasthoff, Yumiko Samejima, Peter Schreier, Irmgard Seefried and Anne Sofie von Otter.
Translated from the German by Richard Stokes, professor of lieder at the Royal Academy of Music, this memoir describes, with humour, honesty and intelligence, Helmut Deutsch's journey from unknown repetiteur to one of the most refined and sought-after accompanists of the modern era, respected by the leading singers of our time, who make music with him and revere him as a great artist and strong musical partner.
In this engaging and entertaining account, Deutsch offers fascinating insights into pianistic technique, repertoire, performance, interpersonal relationships, and the special qualities required for his profession: empathy, flexibility, sensitivity, patience and the ability to stand back in the service of others.
Deutsch is a captivating narrator, frank and entertaining. From out of tune pianos to jealous singers, his memoir teems with anecdotes and reflections on his multi-faceted life as a musician, offering readers a glimpse of unforgettable moments on and off stage without a trace of vanity.
Contents
Foreword by Alfred Brendel, Translator's note, Acknowledgements, Prologue, 1. Hermann Prey. The first concert, 2. ' . . . and dream a blissful dream.' Japan, 3. 'What a dream profession!' The years with Hermann Prey, 4. Even Karajan had to laugh. Childhood and adolescence, 5. The right partnership. Early years as a song accompanist. Ileana Cotrubas, Irmgard Seefried, Rita Streich, 6. Hermann Prey. Winterreisen and anecdotes, 7. Yumiko Samejima, 8. Josef Protschka, 9. Olaf Bar, 10. Brigitte Fassbaender, 11. Practising, 12. Working with the singer, 13. Bo Skovhus, 14. Bernd Weikl, 15. Peter Schreier, 16. Thomas Quasthoff, 17. Teaching, 18. Juliane Banse, 19. Dietrich Henschel, 20. Jonas Kaufmann, 21. Stefanie Iranyi, 22. Mauro Peter, 23. Of pianos and concert-grands, 24. The day of the concert, 25. The concert, 26. Page-turners, 27. After the concert, 28. Barbara Bonney, 29. Angelika Kirchschlager, 30. Programmes, 31. Andreas Schmidt, 32. Recordings, 33. Grace Bumbry, 34. Matthias Goerne, 35. The press, 36. Werktreue and liberties, 37. Michael Volle, 38. Diana Damrau, 39. Competitions, 40. Piotr Beczala, 41. Camilla Nylund, 42. Singers and accompanists, 43. The Liederabend - past and future, 44. Epilogue, Appendices: Contributor biographies, The singers, Selected discography, Index of names
