To Play Again

“In addition to being one of the finest pianists of her generation, Carol Rosenberger is also one of the most eloquent―as her new book triumphantly attests. Hers is an important and inspiring story, and she tells it superbly.”
—Jim Svejda, commentator on KUSC radio, called “The High Priest of Classical Music” by the Los Angeles Times

At age twenty-one, while she was working with the legendary Nadia Boulanger in France, concert pianist Carol Rosenberger was stricken with paralytic polio―a condition that knocked out the very muscles she needed in order to play. But Rosenberger refused to give up. Over the next ten years, against all medical advice, she struggled to rebuild her technique and regain her life as a musician―and went on to not only play again, but to receive critical acclaim for her performances and recordings. Beautifully written and deeply inspiring, To Play Again is Rosenberger’s chronicle of making possible the seemingly impossible: overcoming career-ending hardships to perform again.

Author: Carol Rosenberger

Publication Date: April 17, 2018

Categories: Memoir, Spring 2018

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About the Author

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2018 IPPY Bronze Medal Winner in Autobiography/Memoir III (Personal Struggle/Health Issues)
2018 Sarton Women’s Book Awards finalist in Memoir

“In addition to being one of the finest pianists of her generation, Carol Rosenberger is also one of the most eloquent―as her new book triumphantly attests. Hers is an important and inspiring story, and she tells it superbly.”
—Jim Svejda, commentator on KUSC radio, called “The High Priest of Classical Music” by the Los Angeles Times

“Carol Rosenberger’s book, To Play Again, is a very touching and remarkable story of a great artist, her battle with paralytic polio at age twenty-one, and her triumph over the disease. It is beautifully written with great sensitivity and should be an inspiration to all that are exposed to this rich life of music and much beyond.”
—Gerard Schwarz, celebrated American conductor

“Any reader seeking insight into how the art of music can intertwine with a truly courageous life saga need look no further. Carol Rosenberger’s To Play Again is a gripping journey through time, place, and emotion that will have you marveling at her indefatigable determination to attain her dreams against the most formidable odds.”
—Mark Abel, composer, writer, and onetime foreign editor, San Francisco Chronicle

“Carol Rosenberger’s story is one of courage in the face of so many challenges. Just as she starts her concert career in earnest she has to learn all over again how to play and how to live. An amazing story of resilience and accomplishment.”
—Leslie Ann Jones, Director of Music Recording and Scoring, Skywalker Sound

“Carol Rosenberger is a unique artist whose career spans surprising excursions, useful detours, and welcome extensions. She has always been smart, tough, honest, funny, authoritative, and eminently compelling. Happily, her memoir, To Play Again, illuminates all of these qualities.”
—Martin Bernheimer, music critic, Financial Times

About the Author

“Ravishing, elegant pianism” wrote The New York Times of American pianist Carol Rosenberger, whose four-decade concert career is represented by over thirty recordings on the Delos label. Many are enduring favorites worldwide, and have brought her a Grammy Award nomination, Gramophone’s Critic’s Choice Award, Stereo Review’s Best Classical Compact Disc, and Billboard’s All Time Great Recording. Rosenberger has been the subject of articles in many leading newspapers and magazines, and as an artist teacher, was a faculty member of the University of Southern California and gave performance workshops nationwide. With Delos founder Amelia Haygood, Carol coproduced many recordings by world-class artists. After Haygood’s death in 2007, Carol became the label’s director.