Marvin Hamlisch (1944–2012)

Marvin Hamlisch, the man best know for the scores of "The Way We Were", "The Sting" and "A Chorus Line" is a brilliant pianist and composer who took the music world by storm at the young age of 29. This is his story, in his words about the life he lived to get to the pinnacle of composing fame. A child prodigy on the piano, his Austrian parents enrolled him in Julliard at age six, a move he admits created almost more problems than benefits. The competitive nature of the school left him with show more anxiety, a constant sour/painful stomach, and a nervous disposition. This lead him to succeed but left him mostly alone in life. He had friends, both performers and other musicians, composers, etc. but he lived his life alone until in his late 40's. Because of the pressures from his parents to succeed (as pianist playing Beethoven or Bach) and his own drive to do what he wanted (Broadway was his first goal), he worked himself almost to death. A blind telephone date led him to his wife and a life of balance that he needed for his later life.

Wonderful book, it is brutally honest and he shows that he loved his parents but needed to do what his heart desired in composing. Eventually he did both, and his parents were very proud of him.

I like reading biographies/autobiographies of people like Hamlisch, intimate, surprising and with twists and turns in life that I knew nothing about. Highly recommended. show less

One of the most thrilling musicals I have had the pleasure to be in. Reading it helps you break down every character, especially in the montage.

This is a true story about the famous composer, Marvin Halisch. Marvin likes to make his own music but doesn't enjoy practicing music written my other older composers. He has to overcome this to play for his audition at Julliard.
Ages: 5-7
Source: Personal Collection

One of the greatest musicals ever written.