Grand Obsession: A Piano Odyssey by Perri Knize Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Grand Obsession: A Piano Odyssey
Book Review: A wonderful journey
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed Grand Obsession. Perri Knize's story about her search for the perfect sounding grand piano strikes a chord with me not only as a pianist but as one with a passionate love of music. I also identified with Knize in that we both have a journalism background and musician fathers who inspired us.
Her quest took her to many parts of the United States as well as to piano manufacturers here and abroad. It was a journey on which I was happy to tag along.
This is more than a story about buying a piano, however. It's about nuances of timbre, complexity of tone, and the difference between being merely satisfied with a piano's sound or ecstatic about it. It's about knowing what you want and the resoluteness not to give up until you find it. It's also about understanding that perfection is elusive--and if achievable, often ephemeral.
Her writing is intelligent, warm, accessible.
Knize's references to string theory and how music relates to the psyche remind me of the insights found in Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia, which examines music in the context of neuroscience. Daniel Levitin's This Is Your Brain on Music is another book that will appeal to Grand Obsession fans. It is a satisfying story of why and how humans make and enjoy music
As I progressed through the book, a sense of well-being filled me. I felt a connection to Knize and to all the rest of those whose vibrations undoubtedly resonate with mine. Highly recommended.
Book Review: Fascinating
Summary: 5 Stars
I could hardly put the book down. I found the relationship between author Perri Knize and her piano fascinating. I am not a musician. I could relate, however, to someone wanting to recapture an experience that meant so much. I study the German language/culture. The author's time in Germany as part of her research was very informative and insightful. Beautifully written. It's a joy to read. Sidney Lawson in Montpelier, Vermont.Book Review: The Wrong Obsession
Summary: 3 Stars
Since I,like Ms. Knize, returned to the piano as an adult, I empathized with her journey of rediscovery of this glorious instrument. However, the more I read, the more I pitied her for obsessing over finding (and then endlessly seeking to restore) a piano with the "perfect" tone. In her quest, Ms. Knize reminds me of stereophiles obsessed with obtaining the "perfect" sound system. Both a piano and stereo components are merely instruments by which music is made or reproduced. Had she compromised on her piano early in the game on her piano, as we all must do in the end, she would have had her far more time for the music.Book Review: Greatest odyssey since Homer.
Summary: 5 Stars
I would love to go on raving about this book, but that pretty much speaks for itself concerning this fine piece of literature, so I'll keep it short.
This memoir speaks the very deepest corners of my soul. I am a pianist and composer, and have been faced with many of the challenges that Perri Knize has in her quest for the perfect piano. This book has illuminated many things for me and has piqued my increased interest in the monthly tunings of my beloved piano (a Yamaha U5). My most warm and heartfelt gratitude, and empathy I suppose, goes out to Perri for her struggles and triumphs.
As far as the written account of her journey, this new book, goes...it is a splendid read. The imagery is wonderful and the description of musical and physics-related topics are excellent for non-musicians and musicians alike. The style and prose is clear, lyrical, and very accessible; one of the most readable books of the year. Great job, Perri.
--cp
Book Review: A Grand Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
Many pianists/composers have always believed the piano "is capable of anything". This book affirms this notion and gives a true picture of why we love music so much. While it helps to love the piano when buying the book, reading it I found that a love of music is as much the point of the book as the pianos, fine shops and interesting people visited in it. The authors search for a great piano (and the sound it's capable of producing) takes the author around the world. Most interesting are the real-life people you may well run across during your own search for a piano. A great summer read for anyone wondering why great music (and for many of us great pianos) touch our lives in such an amazing way.