Oscar Levant was the Amadeus of Hollywood, the Oscar Wilde of Broadway and the most wildly self-destructive personality ever to become a household name. An astonishingly gifted concert pianist (and the premier interpreter of Gershwin's concert works), composer, film and stage presence, radio and television raconteur wit and bestselling author, Levant steered a maniacally masochistic course through seven decades spent in the company of some of America's most noted literary, musical and entertainment personages. He penned three popular volumes of autobiography, made more than 100 recordings and appeared in thirteen films, including An American in Paris, The Band Wagon and Rhapsody in Blue, in which he literally played himself, best friend to George Gershwin. His death in 1972, at the age of sixty-five, left the entertainment community shocked -- largely with amazement that a four-pack-a-day smoker with a long history of drug abuse and mental illness had lasted as long as Levant did. Oscar Levant on himself: "There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have crossed that line." "I'm a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy." "My favorite exercises are groveling, brooding and rolling.
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Why does Oscar Levant, memorable mostly for his devastating put-downs, deserve a biography at all, let alone one this long? Kashner and Schoenberger answer that question convincingly. This husband-and-wife team of poets (both teach writing at the College of William and Mary) make an auspicious nonfiction debut with this biography. At one time Levant was the highest-paid concert artist in America, and one of the most popular. But by the time of his death he was remembered mainly as a deeply troubled yet very witty man, best known for a series of terrifyingly frank appearances on the Jack Paar Show in which he discussed his barbiturate addiction and nervous breakdowns with a candor unheard of at the time. In fact, as this biography makes clear, Levant was, in spite of an almost hallucinatory catalogue of neurotic compulsions and phobias, a composer of promise, a talented pianist with a wide range of musical strengths (although most widely remembered for his interpretations of Gershwin, his close friend), and a man of uncommon intelligence and erudition. The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants who raised him to love music, Levant was an autodidact who entered the most elevated literary and musical circles of New York and Hollywood from the Jazz Age into the Eisenhower years before mental illness and drugs wrecked his health, his marriage, and his life. The book retells this story in great detail, but almost never drags. There are several minor errors in passages of historical background (Babe Ruth made his debut in the Yankee outfield in 1920, not in 1922). A genuinely thoughtful and entertaining biography that should go far in rebuilding Levant's reputation as a serious musician. (Kirkus Reviews)
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book received one of two slightly sniffy reviews in the States, but I found it fascinating. I’m loath to call it ‘enjoyable’ because the story of Levant’s life makes for harrowing reading. When we think of the great native-born American pianists of this century, we usually list Kapell, Cliburn and Janis for starters, but I think Levant can be added to that list, if only on the strength of his Gershwin interpretations, and the Tchaikovsky and Grieg concertos. Levant emerges as a difficult, but ultimately likable person. He was apparently very kind to young actors in Hollywood in the 50’s, inviting them for dinner to make sure they got one decent meal now and again, at least. The book has been admirably researched and is full of recondite information. For example, I didn’t know that Levant held Schoenberg in such awe, and how Schoenberg wasn’t fazed by Levant’s cynical wit, even coming back with some neat one-liners himself ! Levant was a multifaceted personality, and this book will appeal to anyone interested in music, films and culture in general in the United States during the period from the end of the Great War to the early 70’s. Strongly recommended.
By Mb Davis
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Oscar Levant was a true original.I was familiar with him having seen many of his film performances and possessing the recordings of the 1947-49 "Al Jolson Show".It is really sad that after his heart attack he went downhill so quickly and ended up virtually a recluse.His wife had to be either a saint or a masochist to stick with him.Whilst the book is an enjoyable and worthwhile read i think that it does meander a bit in the centre section particularly when discussing his cincerts.The author is prone to using the word "concertizing".Is this a real word or just made up.What about using the real word recitalist?
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Unbelievable! Had no idea of the life and eccentricity of Oscar Lamont.
I have been unable to put the book down it makes gripping reading.He was apparently full of pills and booze but never the less his piano spoke for
him magically to the music of Gershwin.
I have been unable to put the book down it makes gripping reading.He was apparently full of pills and booze but never the less his piano spoke for
him magically to the music of Gershwin.
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