Jacqueline du Pre
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€19.99
Authorized by du Pré's husband, Daniel Barenboim, this is the fullest account yet of the life of the brilliant cellist, struck down in her prime by multiple sclerosis. Charting her career from her early identification with the sound of the cello, through her début at sixteen to the achievement of international stardom by her early twenties, Elizabeth Wilson examines the origins and nature of Jackie's prodigious talent - having talked to nearly everyone in musical circles who knew her well - and assesses her lasting importance as an interpreter. She describes her transformation from coltish girl to woman, and her marriage to the brilliant Daniel Barenboim, concluding with a sensitive account of du Pré's decline, when, no longer able to play, she struggled bravely against the ravages of her illness, until her death in 1987.
Elizabeth Wilson was born in London, attended schools in England, China and the USA and studied cello at the Moscow Conservatoire with Mstislav Rostropovich between 1964 and 1971. She has combined careers as performer and teacher, playing with distinguished ensembles in Britain and Europe as well as devising and presenting radio and concert series on a range of Russian themes. In parallel with these activities, she also writes about music and musicians, including biographies of Jacqueline du Pre and Shostakovich. Her most recent book, Mstislav Rostropovich: Cellist, Teacher, Legend was published by Faber in April 2007.