Weight in the Fingertips: A Musical Odyssey from Soviet Ukraine to the World Stage

Inna Faliks was a musician growing up in Odessa, Ukraine, and later moved to Chicago with her parents as part of the Jewish refugee tide in the 1980s. She gives a globe-trotting account of her upbringing as a child prodigy in a Soviet state, the perils of immigration, the struggle of assimilating as an American, years of training with teachers, and her slow and steady rise in the world of classical music. She also explores how a person's humanity makes their art honest and their voice unique, and how the life-long challenge of retaining that voice is fueled by a balance between being a great musician and being a human being.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

Inna Faliks, a musician from Odessa, Ukraine, had a profound connection with music from a young age. Growing up, the piano became her closest companion, and she delved into the intricate melodies of Bach's Goldberg Variations, honing her composing skills under the guidance of her mother. At the age of ten, Faliks and her family relocated to Chicago, fleeing the Soviet Union during the 1980s Jewish refugee crisis. During the arduous immigration process, she found solace in practicing the piano silently, imagining the full set of keys beneath her fingertips.

In her captivating memoir, Weight in the Fingertips, Faliks takes readers on a global journey, recounting her upbringing as a child prodigy in a Soviet state, the challenges of immigration, the process of assimilating into American society, and her gradual ascent in the world of classical music. With a warm and engaging style, she demystifies the journey of becoming a world-renowned concert pianist, making it accessible to non-musicians. Faliks weaves together the threads of her past, including the places she grew up, the books she read, and the poems she memorized as a child, revealing how these experiences shape her unique musical voice.

Through her exploration of classical music and elite performance, Faliks sheds light on the profound impact of a person's humanity on their art. She delves into how a musician's ability to remain authentic and true to their voice is nurtured by a delicate balance between being a great musician and being a human being. Faliks provides insightful perspectives on the role of music in a world characterized by conflict, change, and the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

Weight in the Fingertips is a testament to Faliks's resilience, talent, and unwavering dedication to her craft. It is a captivating story that resonates with readers of all ages, offering a glimpse into the life of a musician and the profound impact that music can have on individuals and society as a whole.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 163 x 238 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781493071746