Anshel Brusilow started playing violin in 1933 at age five, in a Russian Jewish neighborhood of Philadelphia where practicing your instrument was as ordinary as hanging out the laundry. His playing wasn’t ordinary, though. At 16, he was soloing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He was also studying conducting.
Brusilow played with or conducted many top-tier classical musicians and has something to say about each one. He also made many recordings.His memoir is a fascinating view of American classical music as well as an inspiring story of a working-class immigrant child making good in a tough arena.
