Skip to content
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED | EXPERT ADVICE
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

The Wandering Civil Servant of Stradivarius.

Themes and Variations.

Stock Code 104093

London, Quartet Books, 2021

Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
Original price $0.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
Current price $29.00
'A captivating and heartfelt memoir from at true music afficionado.'

This is not a 'conventional' diplomatic memoir about political 'revelations', but a passionate account of the extraordinary life of a young professional violinist in Switzerland, a senior British diplomat around the world, a nuclear environmental expert in post-Soviet Russia, and pro bono work with arts charities around Europe. Hearing Yehudi Menuhin play solo Bach and Bartók in Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre in 1959 would prove an epiphany for the seventeen-year-old Desmond Cecil. Already an advanced oboe student of Joy Boughton, he decided there and then, against all the odds, to become a violinist. This autobiography tells the remarkable journey its author took in his quest to follow his passion to perform music – eventually with his own Stradivari violin.

NEW BOOK. Hardback. (23.4 x 15.6 cm) ; 232pp. black and white illustrations; publisher's black cloth, dust-jacket.

Provenance
Delivery

We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.

About us

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.

Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.

We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.

Read more

Ask us a question

The Wandering Civil Servant of Stradivarius.

CECIL, Desmond.

Stock code: 104093

$29.00

THE BOND STREET EXPERIENCE

An exceptional experience in the heart of London’s Mayfair for not only seasoned collectors but those considering purchasing their first rare book or print.

Guaranteed Authenticity
GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY
International Delivery
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
Meet Our Booksellers
MEET OUR BOOKSELLERS
Free Gift Wrapping
FREE GIFT WRAPPING

BOOK COLLECTING IDEAS

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Basket