Seiji Ozawa (Contemporary Asian Americans) [Library Binding]

Sheri Tan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Contemporary Asian Americans

A biography of the famous Japanese conductor, a citizen of both Japan and the United States, who has achieved international recognition for his skills in interpreting western music.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. This easy-to-read biography offers a brief survey of the life of the famous maestro. Beginning with Ozawa winning the prestigious International Competition of Orchestra Conductors at the age of 24, Tan backtracks to discuss her subject's birth in China and traumatic childhood in Japan during World War II. The rest of the text enumerates some of the highlights and disappointments of the musician's stellar career. A good deal of attention is given to the cultural differences between Western and Japanese musical traditions and Ozawa's influence in bridging the gap. Similar in scope to Charnan Simon's Seiji Ozawa (Children's Press, 1992), this title is more up-to-date and covers the conductor's visit to Japan during the devastating 1995 earthquake in Kobe and the opening of a new concert hall named in his honor at the famed Tanglewood Music Festival. Some fictionalizing of Ozawa's thoughts and feelings detract from the text. When describing the first time the maestro conducted an American orchestra, the author writes that Ozawa "felt very proud" and "confident about his ability." These are not documented quotes from the musician. Still, this is a serviceable biography.?Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Library (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817239936
• ISBN-13: 978-0817239930
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,558,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Seiji Ozawa, February 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Seiji Ozawa (Contemporary Asian Americans) (Library Binding)

I suggest this book for 3rd to 4th grade. It is pitifuly easy. I do find it very imformational with a timeline, bibliography, glossary, and index in the back. It does also have a short paragraph on the back. Otherwise, it was mildly boring.

3.0 out of 5 stars Seiji Ozawa, February 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Seiji Ozawa (Contemporary Asian Americans) (Library Binding)

I think this book is pitifuly easy. It does have a good timeline, bibliography ext. in the back. It is imformational, but also very boring. I thought the only interesting part was about his childhood.