5 minutes with ... Seymour Bernstein.(Professional Resources)(Interview)

Internationally renowned pianist, teacher, composer and writer, Seymour Bernstein studied with Nadia Boulanger, Georges Enesco and Sir Clifford Curzon. He has appeared as soloist and collaborative pianist in Asia, Europe and the Americas. His book, With Your Own Two Hands (G. Schirmer), is required reading in music departments throughout the world.

Your recent book, Monsters and Angels: Surviving a Career in Music, is an inspiring and depressing expose of our profession. How have readers reacted?

Almost everyone called me brave, which is heart-warming but surprising, since bravery was the very last thing on my mind.

So why did you write it?

Relating howl coped with personal and musical problems would, I felt, help others who have suffered (or are suffering) similar problems. Moreover, I wanted to warn young aspiring musicians of possible career pitfalls. Average music lovers should also know the truth about music careers. Finally, writing one's memoirs is a process of deep and stringent self-analysis; it was a catharsis for me.

Any regrets about writing something so intense and personal?

Not at all. I could have made it longer. But, yes, it was emotionally draining; self-analysis always is. The most difficult part was reliving my army days. As I wrote in the book, I kept two diaries of my Korean War experiences. They had been tucked away for forty-five years. When it was time to add this chapter to my book, I began reading them and wept an entire day.