Chestnut Hill Press ยท Idil Biret Education Initiative
Life and Music
A Memoir · Idil Biret
Now available — read the opening chapter free
Welcome. What you are about to read is the story of one of the twentieth century's most remarkable musicians — told in her own words.
From a childhood in Ankara, where a prodigy was quietly recognized, to the great concert halls of Paris, Vienna, and Berlin; from the mentorship of Alfred Cortot and Nadia Boulanger to recordings spanning six decades and more than ninety composers — Idil Biret's life has been a testament to the transforming power of art.
This memoir is intimate, honest, and deeply musical. It is a book for anyone who has ever been moved by a piece of music and wondered at the human life behind it.
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“There are pianists, and then there is Idil Biret — a musician of inexhaustible depth, ferocious intellect, and rare humanity.”
— From the classical music press
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The Artist
Over 100 recordings. Six decades at the summit of the international concert stage.
The Memoir
Candid, wide-ranging, and beautifully written — a window into a life fully devoted to music.
The Legacy
A story that belongs to Turkey, to Europe, and to everyone who loves the piano.