Aldo Parisot, the cellist
Susan HAWKSHAW

The only extant biography of renowned cellist Aldo Parisot, this book includes extensive interviews with him as well as contributions from established colleagues that give a first-hand explanation of his performing and teaching style. It is a serious work of scholarship, yet written in a lively and engaging style that captures the drama of Parisot’s life as well as his colorful personality and extraordinary talent. The book takes a chronological and complete approach, focusing on his extraordinary solo career, and is based on newspaper and magazine articles, reviews, and concert programs from all over the world. His extensive repertoire included demanding modern works such as the Schoenberg/Monn Cello Concerto and Martino’s Parisonatina, named and written in Parisot’s honor, as well as revival of older music. With regard to his teaching, one critic has termed his master classes an “object of pilgrimage.” Encounters with famous contemporaries such as Janos Starker, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Paul Hindemith, and Dave Brubeck are found throughout the book. Starker wrote, “I consider Aldo to be the best cello teacher of our time.” Prominent composers comment about works they dedicated to Parisot. A separate chapter describes his career as an abstract painter working in a sometimes whimsical style with vibrant color, and there are many photographs that highlight his collaboration with well-known colleagues.