Absolutely On Music: conversations with Seiji Ozawa - Tapa dura

"Absolutely on Music is an unprecedented treasure... Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it’s often said, but what joy to watch these two friends dance." (Guardian)

"Hardly a soul writes of the listening and playing of music with such insight and tenderness" (Patti Smith New York Times Book Review)

"Their words tessellate perfectly, forcing the neurons in your brain into a brave new quest for artistic divinity... A book for people transfixed by the minutia of creativity." (Shortlist)

"High Fidelity for classical music fans." (Publishers Weekly)

"These dialogues...add up to a sprawling feast of Mahler-style “polytonality” - or, alternatively, the sort of protean jam-session that Monk and Parker relished." (Boyd Tonkin Arts Desk)

An intimate conversation about music and creativity, between the internationally bestselling writer and a world-class conductor.

‘My only purpose in this book was for me, as a music lover, to have a discussion of music with the musician Seiji Ozawa that was as open and honest as possible. I simply wanted to bring out the ways that each of us (though on vastly different levels) is dedicated to music.'

Haruki Murakami's passion for music runs deep. Before turning his hand to writing, he ran a jazz club in Tokyo, and the aesthetic and emotional power of music permeates every one of his much-loved books. Now, in Absolutely on Music, Murakami fulfills a personal dream, sitting down with his friend, acclaimed conductor Seiji Ozawa, to talk about their shared interest.

Transcribed from lengthy conversations about the nature of music and writing, here they discuss everything from Brahms to Beethoven, from Leonard Bernstein to Glenn Gould, from record collecting to pop-up orchestras, and much more. Ultimately this book gives readers an unprecedented glimpse into the minds of two maestros.