The Prodigy The Autobiography of Elias Breeskin
Elias Breeskin, not only a mesmerizing violinist, passionate composer and maestro but an excellent storyteller, recounts with fearless candor the advancements and struggles of his career. Universal recognition eluding him time after time, Breeskin entrances with his intimate confessions. His story follows him from the zeniths of music and love to the depths of great despair. He conveys the struggle to maintain his integrity despite his gambling addiction. From his childhood as a prodigy with unlimited musical horizons to becoming a refugee with a terrifying illness, the reader feels his joy and his agony. As a recipient of generous gifts from benefactors, he was unwilling to shirk the sacrifices and hard work required of an artist. His tale contains vignettes of his friendships with Fritz Kreisler, Caruso, prominent personages, and colorful characters of 1930's Hollywood and others from the 1940's and 50's in Mexico. One sympathizes with the unfair prison confinement at the dreaded Mexico island prison, Isla Marias, but marvels at the masterpiece composition produced there. The reader follows him to Russia, Washington, New York, Australia and back and finally onto Pittsburgh, Hollywood and Mexico City. Elias Breeskin's presence and talent radiates. He comes alive, once more, on these pages.