The King of Violins
The Extraordinary Life of Ma Sciong, China's Greatest Violin Virtuoso
by M.G. Crisci, Cheng Ken Chi Ph.D.
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Pub Date Jul 10 2020 | Archive Date Sep 05 2020
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Description
HOW CHINA'S MOST CELEBRATED VIOLIN PRODIGY BECAME AN ENEMY OF THE STATE.
The King of Violins is the heartbreaking story of China's most celebrated violin prodigy, Ma Sicong, who composed his first concerto at the age of 12.
During his career, this gentle, dignified man composed 57 of the world's best-known symphonies and concertos and performed in front of hundreds of sold-out audiences across the globe.
Chairman Mao Zedong declared Ma Sicong "a national treasure" and nicknamed him The King of Violins. Soon, Chairman Mao's brutal Cultural Revolution distorted the truth of Ma's life and work. He is forced to wear a dunce cap, and is publically humiliated and physically abused by cadres of Red Guards as "a vile product of bourgeois thinking."
Ma and his family make a breath-taking escape in the darkness to America. After Chairman Mao died in 1976, the real circumstances of Ma's poignant, bittersweet life were buried in the pages of history by an embarrassed Chinese government. Eleven years later, Ma died at the age of 76 in Philadelphia.
The King of Violins, written in cooperation with all of Ma's remaining family members, and is the first politically-balanced life story about this generous, conflicted musical genius.
Advance Praise
"A perfectly balanced symphony that honors truth and dignity"
"A fabulous book about a remarkable man"
"A bittersweet biography filled with involving themes and surprising twists."
"A perfectly balanced symphony that honors truth and dignity"
"A fabulous book about a remarkable man"
"A bittersweet biography filled with involving themes and surprising twists."
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781456635060 |
| PRICE | $5.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Sarah F, Media/Journalist
'The King of Violins' is an extremely interesting portrait of the life, and achievements, of virtuoso violinist Ma Sicong. I found it an absolutely fascinating insight into musical genius, but also the political history of China. I'm so glad that this brilliant man's life has been documented by M. G. Crisci and Cheng Ken Chi.
