Customer Reviews

The Adventures of a Cello

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this book and you don't have to be a cello enthusiast to enjoy reading it. Some parts are a bit slow but the good stuff makes up for it. Prieto has a personable writing style and obvious emotional attachment to his cello that is infectious. He structures the story well - his path to cello stardom is unusual and offers life lessons to people of all ages. He draws the reader in early with the tension behind "How did HE end up with a Strad cello???" The book is kind of a smorgasbord of music trivia/ commentary, including and engaging (if informal) overview of the great composers from the past to the present (much better than the historical overview in The Cambridge Companion to the Cello). Lastly, he is also of an age where his own life story is begins to offer a window into an era gone by. Sr. Prieto will be on your "dream dinner party" list after you read this. Buy the book and pass it on...!

In 1720 the elderly violin maker Stradivari made a masterpiece: it was known as the 'Red Stradivari', but it wasn't a violin - it was a cello. Under its new name, the Piatti, it left Italy on a tour, to eventually become the author's key to success. Here is the history of Piatti, from its creation through its different owners. Cello players and classical music enthusiasts will relish this affectionate survey.

Prieto's fascinating account of his famous cello's life is just the base upon which he gives a wealth of information about cellos, cellists, the cello literature, performances, and the world of the classical musician. Cellists and anyone appreciating cello music will find many portions they can use or be amused by.

This is a facile read...an entertaining and enlightening account of the "life" of a priceless Stradivari cello since its "birth". Along the way we learn briefly of the various characters who played a significant role in the cello's life history. The first part of the book gives a review of famous stringed instrument makers and the construction of these instruments. Ideal for either the interested "aficionado" or professional musician.

My husband, a professional cellist, received this book as a gift. He enjoyed it immensely. He has sent at least 5 of them to other cellist friends--some professional, some who just love to play. All reports from those who have received this gift have been wonderful. Highly recommended to those who play... and those who don't... there's a lot of interesting information about the instrument, the musicians who play and teach, and the world of music.

I have to give this only three stars because there really isn't very much about the history or adventure of a certain cello. It really should have been titled as a autobiography of Carlos Prieto. If you're interested in Russia and it's composers than this book will interest you, if you want more than one chapter on the history of a Stradivarius then I suggest you look elsewhere.

A great Book, especially for Cellists

He tell us about a famous cello brand and the connections
with artists that owned the instrument.

Fascinating!

I admire Prietto performances, my favorites is Elgar, Schumman and Dvorak cello concertos. Katherine Dupree also, for Elgar, is a must have in your collection!

For my side, I feel honored that my Cello Fantasy op.10 (Eb Major) was cited on that book.

Also about the great job mr Prietto did, about his travels - doing first world audition of works, major aprt dedicated to him.

great history, made by a great artist.

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.