Author: Lucy Antek Johnson, This Was Toscanini

Lucy Antek Johnson, author of This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me, discusses her book, father and writing. 

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Samuel Antek, who was a first violinist with the acclaimed NBC Symphony Orchestra for 17 years, captured for posterity what it was like to perform under the baton of the legendary Maestro Arturo Toscanini, widely considered the greatest conductor of the mid-20th century. In his musical memoir, Antek shares his keen observations of Toscanini’s singular approach to music making, his unpredictable moods, his passions, his relentless demands on himself and his musicians, and his unwavering dedication to faithfully interpreting composers’ works. 

Lucy Antek Johnson, Samuel Antek's daughter, was born and raised in New York City. After studying music, fine art and ballet, she was drawn to the world of television production and spent her entire career in the entertainment industry, working with such producers as Martin Charnin, Harry Belafonte, David Susskind and Roone Arledge. When she moved to Los Angeles in 1978, she produced movies for television, then joined NBC as a network executive. She soon worked her way up to senior vice president of daytime and children's programs for CBS, a position she held for 14 years. She paints, writes, and every so often gets up the nerve to sit at the piano and play a favorite Bach or Chopin prelude.

Connect: Lucy Antek Johnson - Website