Conservatory:

Like Ted Dalbottens previous books, Winterreise and Triptych a Mystery(Part I, The Painting) which among other material dealt with various aspectsof both the performing and non performing arts, the present volume asidefrom its examination of the human condition concerns itself particularlywith musical matters, though not only performing issues. Since music has been the predominant activity of the author now in his eightyfourth year it was almost inevitable he would eventually seek to explorethis aspect of his life in some extended fictional form and in some depth. Aside from his work as both dance and vocal accompanist, for the last twentyfour years he has been involved in a small group calling themselves Two Piano-Eight, which meet regularly and of which he is one of the founding members. Their activity is reading through arrangements of mainly orchestral and chamberworks for two pianos, eight hands to which he has contributed over seventy fiveof his own transcriptions of both large and smaller works.