Rate this book

Sight Reading (2013)

by Daphne Kalotay(Favorite Author)

3.29 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0062246933 (ISBN13: 9780062246936)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Harper

review 1: I am a sucker for books about music. Although I really enjoyed the parts about music, the relationships struck me as "chick lit". Conductor (and professor) is seduced by one of his students and leaves his wife for her. The story is played out over several time periods, young student; middle aged step-mom and somewhat older mother of the bride.The title refers to playing a piece of music when it is just placed in front of you, without having had time to practice it and without knowing the piece. A lot like life and relationships in general.
review 2: “Sight Reading” is basically a relationship story, but what I loved were the gorgeous descriptions of classical music. I love classical music, but my appreciation is of the product, not the process. I was de... morelighted to be introduced to the process through a performer, a conductor, and a composer. Admittedly much of what was described was beyond my comprehension, but I gained in knowledge of the artistic and personal challenges faced by these professionals, as they brought heart and soul to a piece, struggled with being second best, attempted to write a brilliant symphony, or became almost blase from too much praise.There is an episode in Daphne Kalotay’s novel in which, during a violin lesson, the renowned teacher announces to his talented and very select students that it’s “time for some sight-reading.” Remy, a primary character in the novel, must perform a piece she does not know while the teacher acts as page turner. Just as Remy begins to feel comfortable with the music, the teacher horrifies her by not turning a page, then later knocking the music off the stand. Furious, Remy, to her own surprise, continues to play and to improvise. The lesson: “Always be prepared for the unexpected,” and “We never know ... what life might toss at us.”All three of the key characters in “Sight Reading” are thrown off balance by life during the 20 years covered in the novel. It is 1987 when we first meet Remy, the violinist and recent Boston conservatory graduate; Nicholas, newly hired as conductor and composer at the conservatory after brilliantly successful stints around the world; and Hazel, artist, lover of beautiful things, and Nicholas’ wife. A fourth character, Yoni, a teacher at the conservatory, is close to both Remy and Nicholas.Of course, it is much easier to be prepared for the unexpected if you forget a musical passage or lose your place. There really is no way to prepare for the unexpected in life, as these characters proved time and again. But for me the interpersonal relationships, even with all their ups and downs, were somewhat ho-hum -- especially compared to the exciting music. And when 2007 comes around and the story is coming to a close, the resolution of both musical and personal challenges plus a sentimental image of togetherness on the last page make for a nice coda, perhaps. It's just a little too facile. less

Download links for: Sight Reading

Advertising