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Drawing on exhaustive research and hundreds of interviews, this intimate portrait of Oscar Levant discusses the career of the gifted pianist, composer, entertainer, raconteur, and author, as well as his tumultuous, self-destructive private life. 15,000 first printing.
- Sales Rank: #57950 in Books
- Brand: Brand: Villard
- Published on: 1994-05-17
- Released on: 1994-05-17
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.75" h x 6.50" w x 2.00" l,
- Binding: Hardcover
- 512 pages
- Used Book in Good Condition
From Publishers Weekly
A composer, concert pianist, film actor and radio and TV personality, Levant (1906-1972) was best known for his musical virtuosity and caustic wit. His idiosyncratic character is brought to life in this objective and entertaining biography by Schoenberger and Kashner, who are married and teach creative writing at William and Mary College in Virginia. Levant was a close friend to composer George Gershwin, and neglected his own compositions in favor of performing Gershwin's music. (After Gershwin's death in 1937, Levant appeared in Rhapsody in Blue , the Hollywood version of Gershwin's life.) His other film apearances included parts in Humoresque (1947) and An American in Paris (1951), in both of which he honed a persona as a neurotic and cynical musician. Drawing on interviews and letters, Kashner and Schoenberger carefully document Levant's emotional problems, which eventually led to a drug addiction that prevented him from performing and nearly ended his marriage to actress June Gale. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
A composer and a popular concert pianist, the multitalented Levant also acted (in films such as An American in Paris, 1951) and made memorable appearances on television talk and panel shows, where his cynical, eminently quotable wit spared no one, including himself. Publicly, Levant made light of his lifelong history of mental illness and was regarded as an amusing eccentric. Yet as this well-researched, intelligent biography shows, Levant's manic-depressive condition and crippling chemical dependencies took a toll on his private life and, eventually, his career. Readers who pick this up in search of celebrity gossip won't be disappointed, but what they'll remember is a man for whom the dividing line between brilliance and madness was painfully thin. Highly recommended for most public libraries.
David C. Tucker, DeKalb Cty. P.L., Decatur, Ga.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
For many years Levant was a very visible celebrity who appeared regularly on television variety shows, acted in films (playing himself at least as often as he was cast as a fictional character), and traveled the country as a concert pianist. He was also known for his quick wit, acerbic tongue, and neurotic disposition, showcased on venues such as Jack Paar's talk show, and made manifest in the three books he wrote. Kashner and Schoenberger painstakingly define the demons that stalked Levant throughout his life, creating a wonderfully illuminating portrait of this decidedly complex man. A chain-smoking hypochondriac, with a serious addiction to drugs, Levant was also an abusive husband, though he continued to be loved by his wife, June. This fascinating biography plumbs the depths of a verifiably tortured soul but also an individual capable of thrilling others with his brilliant musical gift and sharp tongue. Alice Joyce
Most helpful customer reviews
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
extremely entertaining read on a fascinating man
By ChefBum
'A Talent For Genius' is the exhaustive biography of one of the most colorful characters of American culture of the 30's and 40's: Oscar Levant.
In some ways, Levant's life proves to be even more interesting biography material than that of his good friend, the legendary George Gershwin. Perhaps this is because he lived for so much longer. Probably it is because of Levant's numerous talents other than music.
Because Levant was so social and knew so many of the luminaries of the arts of his time, this book pulls in a nice glimpse of the New York arts scene, MGM's Hollywood in the 40's & 50's, the U.S. classical music scene, and growing up Jewish in New York in the 20's.
Last but not least, Levant was a notorious wit; he was so funny that he could afford to be obnoxious and insulting and still count on being a welcome guest in the homes of his many friends. This biography captures such wit, and is entertainingly written (with tongue firmly in cheek) in its own right.
I am among those who prefer to not focus on Levant's later addiction to prescription drugs; such a living hell would seem to be too much a sad and undeserving fate for one of America's great entertainers and quirky geniuses. Here too, the subject matter is handled sensitively but unflinchingly.
The authors of this book have done a womderful job in fully depicting a very deserving and overdue subject: the life of Oscar Levant.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
A Very Thorough and Touching Biography
By The Reluctant Critic
I first developed an interest in Oscar Levant after reading about him in "Harpo Speaks". Since that time, I've read all of his three books, have listened to two of his albums, followed by the reading of this book.
This book is one of the best biographies I have ever read. It reveals the good, bad, and the ugly of Levant's character. The authors spend a little too much ink playing the role of psychoanalyst, but most of what they offer seems to make sense regarding Levant's wild behaviors.
Overall, this is a fascinating book. Levant was a true original, and this book does an excellent job of filling in the empty spaces of Levant's autobiographies.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
If you want to write an interesting biography write it about an interesting person
By Shalom Freedman
In the opening chapter of this book the authors describe the home from which Levant came, and his Pittsburg childhood. On his mother's side they were both a very musical family, and one which had 'sarcasm and humor ' as an unending part of their talking with each other. The roots of Levant's later work are clearly in this childhood, and his specially close connection with his mother's family. Also the lively Pittsburgh world of the time, including the Colwell Street brothel and the teeming immigrant-filled streets were an essential part of the education of this very street- wise classical musician.
Levant's life involved a number of very great successes. He was a composer of more than talent, and of course arguably the best interpreter of his friend Gershwin's music.
He could be quite nasty , and a louse but it seems that many were willing to forgive him , perhaps because they appreciated his great difficulties in life. One of his famous sayings is something like, " They threw me out of the insane asylum because I was making everyone there depressed"
Levant had a career not only as classical pianist and composer, but also as TV talk- show host, and much later towards the end ' guest' on the Jack Paar show. He worked with the great musicians of his time. After a short first marriage he had a thirty - five year marriage to the singer June Gale. The couple had three children.
What is to say finally about a man who had so much talent, did so many things, but also suffered so much and was not particularly loveable many times?
Who else but him could have given us,
"Roses are red
Violets are blue
I am a schizophrenic
and so am I "
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