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CHOICE Review

Zimdars has translated and edited Theodor Pfeiffer's Studien bei Hans von B"ulow (Berlin, 1894), a diary of comments made by von B"ulow during summer master classes (1884-87) as recorded by pianists Theodor Pfeiffer and Vianna da Motta. Zimdars has included in the appendixes the preface and excerpts from Theodor Pfeiffer's Virtuosen-Studien (mentioned frequently in the text), a list of works edited by von B"ulow, and a bibliography. Von B"ulow was a pupil of Franz Liszt and was his son-in-law. During the 19th century he was well known as conductor, composer, author, editor, and pianist. The performances he critiqued were, for the most part, of important piano literature that is still being taught and explored. As with most master class comments, it would have been best to have heard the live performance, but an astute musician can learn from the remarks that were saved by these two pianist/writers, especially those of da Motta. With careful scrutiny one can derive some insight into von B"ulow's style of teaching and philosophy of performance. Even von B"ulow's admissions of error in editing help scholars sorting through his many published editions. This book is pleasant reading and useful to pianists of all stages of learning. Had Zimdars provided an overview or analysis of von B"ulow's teaching and philosophy rather than just a translation of the original, with some editing, the volume would be even more useful. Advanced undergraduate and graduate collections. D. L. Patterson; University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire