REACH UP
My Beautiful Journey with James DePreist
by Ginette DePreist
Ginette DePreist’s life with James DePreist was a wonderful one. One filled with excitement, rewards and love with a partner she would have never dreamed of. His life, however, was so much more. His journey took him through so many twists and turns and almost insurmountable challenges that he managed to overcome through his entire life and career as the most internationally acclaimed African American symphony conductor of his time. His tenacity and perseverance taught him to never give up and always reach up.
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Luminare Press
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“A warm, wise, and engaging memoir, rich with behind-the-scenes observations of the classical music scene, is a dual portrait of a protean musician and an inspiring marriage.”
Anthony Tommasini, Former Chief Classical Critic, The New York Times
“With every page, we see the love of music, life, poetry, thought, family, and faith unveil humanity. It is boundless—stronger than differences, race, countries, and abilities… This is as much a story about the fine art of conducting as it is about the blending of two souls that discover what it is to become one.”
Rita Coburn, Writer, Director, Producer, CEO, RCW Media Productions Inc.
Reach Up: My Beautiful Journey with James DePreist
by Ginette DePreist
Published by Luminare Press
Publication date: June 11, 2024
Language: English
paperback | hardcover | ebook
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Available where all fine books are sold.
Advance Praise for Reach Up
“Ms. DePreist’s book is a touching and beautiful story of a love affair and a fitting chronicle of a truly important artist in American music. The poetry that heads each chapter illuminates for me the joy and dignity of [James DePreist’s] music, and I loved getting to know how deeply he understood jazz and popular music.”
—Emanuel Ax, World-Renowned Classical Pianist
“In Reach Up, Ginette DePreist has created a poignant, in-depth portrait of the love of her life, my friend and colleague James DePreist. Jimmy embodied so many achievements, such infinite spirit, it seems impossible that he was only one man. Ginette’s book reminds me what it was like to thrive in his presence.”
—Garrick Ohlsson, World-Acclaimed Classical Pianist
“A truly interesting and thorough presentation of a remarkable career. And more so, an important international career that, given the circumstances, appears to us even more impressive, the more you get to learn about James DePreist. What an accomplishment the author has achieved! Brava!”
—Thomas Boltenstern, CEO, Konsertbolaget Scandinavian Artist Management
“Ginette DePreist’s testament to her late husband, James, captures the beauty and struggle of love and life through music.”
—Matías Tarnopolsky, President & CEO, Philadelphia Orchestra
“Ginette DePreist’s poignant chronicle is a wonderful tribute to Jimmy’s ability to pursue his inexorable passion for music with unflappable determination and grace. It is also a great love story, between soulmates, eternally committed to unwavering mutual support.”
—Joe Kluger, Former President & CEO, Philadelphia Orchestra, Professional consultant
“Ginette DePreist has captured so completely and honestly the life of her distinguished husband, James ‘Jimmy’ DePreist—renowned conductor, composer, poet, teacher, and student of law and business. We learn how he accomplished these achievements despite challenges from bigotry and polio with extraordinary talent, determination, optimism, faith, and the enduring love and support of his wife.”
—Ken Fisher, President Emeritus, UMS, University of Michigan
“With the publication of Reach Up, Ginette DePreist offers readers the first book-length portrait of her late husband, James DePreist—one of the great orchestra conductors of the late twentieth century. An unexpected opportunity found Jimmy in Quebec City in the mid-seventies, and it was there that he and Ginette met. Two countries, two cultures, and two languages resulted in an engaging biographical portrait of James DePreist and a frank and loving portrait of their marriage with the most remarkably brilliant life they shared in the world of classical music. Reach out and read this book.”
—David McKnight, Retired Director of the Rare Book Library, University of Pennsylvania
“Ginette DePreist has splendidly orchestrated a memoir of ‘her Jimmy’ and an enthralling chronicle of their love story. A trailblazer with a big heart and a legendary laugh, James DePreist introduced Oregon to the world through his inimitable recordings. His powerful resonance lives on.”
—Suzanne Nance, President & CEO, All Classical Radio, allclassical.org