"Mach has produced a book of uncommon interest." — Washington Post. "Mach's interviews will enhance the pleasure of any concertgoer." — People. In this rich collection of fascinating interviews with 25 of the world's greatest pianists of the contemporary era, Elyse Mach has chosen to let the artists speak freely and develop their thoughts about music, their lives, and their careers with a minimum of interruption. The result is a treasury of reminiscences and reflections that are not only remarkably candid and revealing but entertaining and thought-provoking as well. Through the eyes of these inspired musicians, we get an intimate look at the concert scene and the life of the concert pianist, as well as insights into the artists' feelings about their art, their performance anxieties, the music they play, and many other topics. Enhanced with 50 photographs, this book will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in serious music and piano artistry. Pianists interviewed in this volume include Claudio Arrau, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Alfred Brendel, John Browning, Alicia de Larrocha, Misha Dichter, Rudolf Firkušný, Glenn Gould, Vladimir Horowitz, Byron Janis, Lili Kraus, Rosalyn Tureck, André Watts, Paul Badura-Skoda, Jorge Bolet, Youri Egorov, Janina Fialkowsha, Leon Fleischer, Emil Gilels, Stephen Hough, Zoltán Kocsis, Garrick Ohlsson, Cécile Ousset, Murray Perahia, and Ivo Pogorelich. "The fascinating world behind the glamour of the concert platform comes alive in very fluid and readable style." — Rosalyn Tureck.