The Compleat Violinist: Thoughts, Exercises, Reflections of an Itinerant Violinist

In this indulgent hodgepodge, renowned violinist Menuhin describes the life of the itinerant musician, whom he puns ""the fiddler on the hoof.'' Lofty ruminations (``What is there in life, after all, unless every act, every greeting, every dialogue, every cooperative effort in street and factory recognises that human life has a value and that value can be expressed in art?'') are juxtaposed with exercises for the toes, arches and the like. The plodding prose meanders from discourses on why Menuhin chose the violin over piano and cello, and reflections on Mozart, Beethoven and other great composers, to what the maestro eats, wears, packs in his violin case, where he sleeps and what he considers an ideal vacation. Sprinkled throughout this slim but pricey volume are his exercises, illustrated with photos. Many are of the commonsensical stretching, breathing and relaxation variety, which are suitable for the traveling salesman as well as musician; most helpful for aspiring maestros are the series of exercises designed for the development of technique. (June 2)