Evenings with Horowitz: A Personal Portrait

This is an excellent book that exposes all aspects of the amazing musician, Horowitz. As a musician, I find it intriguing to learn about the more personal traits of artists, rather than the factual information found in most biographies. A true artist is a complicated person, and I don't believe that Dubal's intent was to either glamorize himself or to make Horowitz unsympathetic. Keep in mind that the title of this book is Evenings With Horowitz. If you are looking for a dry account of this richly inspiring musician, buy another book. I highly recommend this book to any true musician.

There are four biographies of Vladimir Horowitz. I have read all four, and this one is by far the best. The other three either only describe historical facts or only randomly put together other musicians' critiques of Horowitz's pianism. "Evenings with Horowitz" is the only one which really reveals the inside world of this legendary pianist.

Other reviewers fault Dubal's self-absorption, and while I realize he is quite pleased with himself, I think the book is excellent - delightful to read, full of interesting stories about life with the monster maestro, and displaying the author's considerable musical erudition. There is much to be learned here. As for the ethical question -- when you have been a guest in a famous man's home for a period of years, do you then write a book exposing the flaws of your host? It is easy to look askance. But if Dubal had not written this book, we piano lovers would all be the poorer. I keep Evenings with Horowitz on a central bookshelf in my library, where I often refer to it -- not least for the valuable discography and insightful comments on Horowitz' recordings. I only wish Dubal had been a guest of Franz Liszt in the 19th century -- what a book that would have been!

Dubal's penetrating account of his relationship with Horowitz is compelling and fascinating. Of course it is a personal account...how could it not be?

Although there are no fewer than two out-of-print biographies of Horowitz, this is a most special personal portrait indeed. It should be read by not only admirers of Horowitz but every serious piano lover. Some people, including me, might at first question the author's subjective writing, but it's not at all important. This highly interesting book provides great insights to Horowitz's art, wisdom, and personality. There are some inspiring discussions about composers and their music, pianists and the art of piano playing, recordings, Horowitz's career and daily life, and so much else that every piano lover will definitely enjoy and learn from this book, in which the image of Horowitz is so vivid. It will absolutely deepen one's love and admiration for him. I've read it twice and it's still irresistible! This book offers so many details and engaging stories that some might even say it's a collection of gossip, but I agree with the author when he writes "It is deeply human to want to know and understand our great personages. Even trifles count."