Ask the Author: Elizabeth Rusch, The Music of Life
Photo by Lynne Spencer
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Just like her book The Music of Life, Elizabeth Ruschās āAsk the Authorā interview is full of tons of great information and delivered in a way that just makes you want to know more and more! Her passion for learning and writing is evident as she tells us about her research, what she thinks about volcanoes, and of course, her favorite types of music. Donāt be surprised if you see another one of her books in a future monthās box! Iāve already got my eye on one! Happy reading!
You've written about topics ranging from politics to science to crayons. Do you have a favorite subject to write about?
A major reason I became a writer is that Iām interested in a wide variety of topics, as you note. I really fall desperately in love with all the subjects I cover. But I do find that Iām drawn to stories that have been missed by the media, popular culture, and history. And I love stories that capture the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.
What made you decide to write a book about the invention of the piano?
The Music of Life began as many of my books do, by learning a snippet of information. And article I read mentioned the invention of the piano in Florence, Italy, in 1700 and I was like: āWhat?! We know when and where the PIANO was invented?ā So many musical instruments have been around for so long and have evolved over time so itās very difficult to point to a time, place and inventor. Once I learned the name of the inventor I wanted to know all about Bartolomeo Cristofori, what inspired him, how he did his work, what challenges he faced. I wanted to know his story and guessed that many piano lovers would want to know it, too.
There is a TON of information baked into this book. How much time did it take you to complete all of your research?
I got the idea for The Music of Life in 2011, and read every book, article, and Ph.D. dissertation I could about Cristofori, the Medici, and the history of the piano and piano mechanics. I conducted several phone interviews with music historians and set off for Florence, Italy, in 2012. I finished a sellable draft of the manuscript in 2014, so the intervening years were refining and revising but also doing more research to answer questions I had and to fill in holes. Writing and refining the backmatter and securing images happened next, in 2015. So the whole thing took about four years.
What was the most interesting thing you discovered while doing research for The Music of Life?
Oh, so many things! How noisy the Medici workshops were, a listing of all the items in Cristoforiās house (a fine pillow with a taffeta cover), what materials he bought (fish glue! vulture feathers!), the bells clanging endlessly in Florence, how very difficult and complicated it was to create a keyboard mechanism that could play both loudly and softly. But I think what surprised me the most is how many musicians at the time hated the new keyboard instrument ā it was so responsive that people accustomed to playing harpsichords found the piano difficult and frustrating to play. This amazing instrument almost fell into obscurity because it challenged people. Itās very strength almost became its demise.
As you describe how you reconstructed Cristofori's life you mention your travels to Italy. Besides seeing replicas of Cristofori's instruments and tools, what are some other sites you enjoyed seeing during your trip?
I strolled through Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, and the summer villa at Poggie a Caino where Cristofori transported instruments to concerts in the gardens and theaters; I walked the streets, markets, and plazas where Cristoforo lived, worked and shopped for supplies; I studied the doorways at Via deāNeri, the street where Bartolomeo Cristofori lived, wondering which building held his workshop and his home; I searched the Chapel Santa Croce for the plaque commemorating Cristofori (itās in the basement). I think I did some touristy things, too, but walking in Cristoforiās footsteps was the experience that remains most vivid in my mind.
Photo from elizabethrusch.com (Click to enlarge)
What can you tell us about this picture? Is it from the visit to Kerstin Schwarz's shop in Italy?
When I was in Florence, instrument maker Kerstin Schwarz took me behind the velvet ropes at the Accademia Gallery where she played her replica of the Cristofori piano and then took it apart to show me the inside. Then we went back to her workshop in Tuscan hills to see how she built the instrument. I got to handle the materials and try out some of the tools. My husband and two children were with me and she showed us all how the hammer mechanism works in a piano. Then she and instrument maker Tony Chinnery hosted us all for lunch at a table in their yard. What a day! It was the highlight of the trip.
Do you play the piano or another instrument?
I play a little piano and a little guitar and electric guitar and a little bass. But I love music and both of my teenagers play piano, guitar, drums and one plays the fiddle.
What is your favorite genre of music? Do you have a favorite song or musician?
Favorite? Ugh! I love so many genres, songs and musicians. Alt rock, pop punk, reggae, gospel and yes, classical. Mozart, Debussy, Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors, Matisyahu, Eva Cassidy and so many more.
What are some of your favorite books that you have NOT authored?
I am a huge fan of the work of nonfiction writer John McPhee (try The John McPhee Reader). For kids books I admire Barbara Kerley (The Extraordinary Mark Twain, according to Susy) and for young adults, Deborah Heiligman (Charles and Emma: The Darwinsā Leap of Faith).
My son noticed on your website that you have written a few books about volcanoes (he's been saying he wants to be a volcanologist for over a year and has checked out Volcano Rising from the library more times than I can count!) He would like to know why you like to write about volcanoes!
Thatās easy: BECAUSE VOLCANOES ARE SO COOL AND AMAZING! I grew up on the east coast and thought that volcanoes were these obscure, exotic features. Then I moved to Portland, Oregon, and there are volcanoes everywhere! I can see Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adams and Mount Rainier, all snow peaked volcanoes, from my neighborhood. I hike, bike, and ski on them year-round. They have literally created so much beauty in the Pacific Northwest and they are a constant source of awe in my life.
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Thanks to Mrs. Rusch for taking the time to share her thoughts with the Music Library Community! You can learn more about Elizabeth Rush and her writing at ElizabethRusch.com.
