Arthur Franz Books

Great Houses of Chicago is a treat to read, or to simply browse through. Filled with images of the magnificent homes that once were, or still remain, a part of my city, it is a book that I'd recommend to any lover of Chicago history or urban architecture.

Jean Stern did a superb job documenting the history of this important California artist. As one of America's foremost buyers of Franz Bischoff paintings, I highly recommend this book. www.LawrenceBeebe.com

This is another tome on Franz Liszt that should be snapped up when it appears at Amazon. In fact, Amazon shows 'currently unavailable' because when I finally saw the title at Amazon from one lone vendor, I bought it immediately! If it's presented again and the price is decent, grab it! Now I'll give you the reasons: one of the ways to better 'know' Liszt [and other than being Dr. Alan Walker!] is to read the tomes about Liszt from his master class students which get into the Liszt methodology and of course the man and master himself.

As an example, I have the Amy Fay 'letters home' book when she studied with Liszt, the August Göllerich diary, the Carl Lachmund diary [pricey that one but hard to find and excellent material] and even the depressing [with regard to the MIStreatment of Liszt in his final days] Lina Schmalhausen diary and now this one where more former Liszt pupils, Arthur Friedheim [1859-1932] and Alexander Siloti [1863-1945] add to the Liszt literature albeit with first hand personal knowledge of the man, master and veritable legend, Franz Liszt. This book is edited by Mark N. Grant whose own tome, "Maestros of the Pen: A List of Classical Music Criticism in America" [446 pages, published in 2001] is also highly recommended!

Liszt from the perspective of his Weimar students is the next best thing to Dr. Alan Walker's own magnificent 3 volume Franz Liszt trilogy and related books on Liszt written by Dr. Walker for a clear picture of Liszt and his methodology ranging from those famous Weimar Liszt quips a la those "uninvited guests" [Liszt buzzword for what the fraternity today calls the common 'clinker' or to the non '88' involved, 'wrong notes'], the 'dirty wash' comment or the ultimate sign that the master was displeased and his mention of the word 'conservatory' with the translation being that the pupil was not yet ready for Liszt master classes.

As I said in another review about becoming one of Liszt's pupils, and once again using an analogous phrase, to wit, 'many are called, but few are chosen' because contrary to popular belief is was de facto 'assumed' one knew the instrument quite well 'before' seeking out Franz Liszt. Or indeed, the reactions of the 'pupils' to one's playing ability which in itself could be, shall we say, a quick return trip from whence one came! In effect, the group master class with the master was a well 'earned' privilege. In one case, a student presented a letter of recommendation from royalty whereupon Liszt dryly commented, "Impressive remarks ... but more preferable to presenting such glowing letters and testaments from Queens, first allow me to hear you play." Hey, move to 2005 just for purposes of making point here, the 12th Van Cliburn and Joyce Yang [Silver medalist] speaking about nervousness in that DVD radio interview, to wit, "Actually it wasn't the day I arrived ... as much as it was hearing 'others' [emphasis mine] play."

Make a mental note on this tome when it becomes available! So too, check out the other books written by various Liszt students all of which place you right at the scene in Weimar with only the sound missing!


Doc Tony

I was fortunate to work for Lake Forest College for 2 years and have never been as happy with the ambiance,excellence and near perfect surroundings of it's setting. I knew who the authors were, and they captured an acedemic and human story of the College and it's setting in Lake Forest. Someone had described the campus as "The Enchanted Forest" and anyone who visits will soon see how this description fits.

To much story about Uncle Arthur and not enough about the Collyer Brothers. This was a real disappointment, save your money and get it from the library.

The book jacket is hauntingly beautiful. But the insides are disappointing. Rather than place the focus on the Collyer brothers (known for not coming out of their brownstone forever...like in that Peter Sellers movie, "Being There," now that I come to think of it...) he uses them to tell a story of his life. Not Fair.

I'm a compulsive hoarder of sorts and picked this up because of a link to another book on the subject. I disagree quite strongly with the previous reviewer. I absolutely adored the few chapters on the author's Uncle Arthur and thought they provided great insight and immediacy to the story on the Collyer Brothers. Given the wealth of detail about the brothers in this fine book I don't understand how any careful reader could feel cheated. If anything, I'd love to know more about Uncle Arthur, who, by the way, is cited in the title of this book. So, his inclusion should not come as much of a surprise.

If this book doesn't get you to clean out your basement, nothing will. A true story about a couple of hermits whose junk collection got the better of them.

Is it bad that, after reading this book, these men became my instant heroes? You'll have to read the book (ha, ha-- librarian trick) to find out. From my point of view, they're ensconsed warmly amongst their piles of junk, their tottering piles of old newspaper, their stacks upon stacks of boxes, their miscellania gathered from the sides of the road and trash cans-- four floors of bliss! Protection from the outside world! A true, not-metaphorical barrier from the slings of everyday life! I sleep (candid admission!) with piles of junk surrounding me on my bed. To be surrounded by piles of junk in an entire decaying old New York mansion? Indescribable bliss. My only complaint about this book is that it does not spend quite enough time on the Collyer Brothers themselves, dwelling more instead on Uncle Arthur (fascinating himself). But Five-plus stars to the lifestyle.