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Author and pianist, Liane Alitowski, D.M.A., is a native New Yorker who has been widely acclaimed for her solo and chamber performances in the US, Canada, France, Sweden, Argentina, Israel, Australia and Japan. As the first resident pianist for Miami’s New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, Ms. Alitowski was featured with artists such as Joshua Bell, the Miami String Quartet, the late Audrey Hepburn and the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society. Outside of her appearances on land, Ms. Alitowski has performed onboard cruise lines all around the world. Her seafaring concert audiences have been on Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Renaissance, Costa and World Explorer cruise ships.
Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
Visby The Virtuoso by Liane Alitowski is a modern day fable about a musically gifted and adventurous cat that finds itself on a cruise ship in the harbor of New York City, bound for some of the most beautiful and historic cities of Europe. Upon finding a piano in the ship, Visby's talent is discovered and he goes on to mesmerize the passengers and the crew, especially the ship's captain who makes sure that Visby can go on the trip, by regularly playing European classical music, to everyone's delight. Curious and friendly, Visby joins in a number of activities on the ship and he makes friends with various passengers. On land, he gets to know other cats too. Exploring the cities with Visby is a great adventure because it certainly is an interesting learning experience for young and old alike.
Visby the Virtuoso is a delightful story that not only entertains, it is also a treasure trove of information on music, geography, history, and the beauty of nature. This book is perfect for children, especially if you want them to learn about some of the great cities of Europe and the various European musicians that have enriched our world with the classical music that has been enjoyed by many generations. Liane Alitowski's creative writing style is crisp and straightforward and, as a result, the pace is fast and the twists and turns unfold naturally. As Visby explores the cities, we get to know his personal story too and it is quite endearing. Surely, Visby the Virtuoso is perfect bedtime reading material for people of all ages!
