Horowitz

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On April 20, 1986, Vladimir Horowitz recognized a pivotal moment as he returned to Russia after a sixty-one-year absence. This biography explores his privileged childhood in Kiev, where he began playing the piano at five. It follows his tumultuous years at the Kiev Conservatory, where he clashed with professors and established his individualism. The narrative traces his evolution as an artist and his defection to Berlin amid the Russian Revolution, showcasing his transformation from a provincial talent to a European stage colossus. After his American debut in 1928, he became an awe-inspiring figure, known for his electrifying performances that captivated audiences worldwide. However, the book also reveals his struggles with self-doubt and mysterious withdrawals from the stage. Author Harold C. Schonberg captures both Horowitz's triumphs and his personal challenges, drawing on unpublished anecdotes and taped interviews conducted later in Horowitz's life. This comprehensive portrait presents Horowitz as a man, musician, and icon, providing insights into his unique genius and his significant role among the great pianists of the century.