Suzanne Spalding Winston,
Author & New Hampshire Resident

Suzanne Spalding Winston worked with her uncle on his memoirs Rise to Follow. She spent every summer from 1913 to 1930 at Monmouth Beach in her grandparents' home, Florenzia, and after two years of school in Florence, took most of her vacations with Albert and Mary Spalding at Aston Magna, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Following Albert's unexpected and early death in 1953, she spent as much time with her aunt as her own busy professional and family life permitted. Mrs. Winston has transcribed the Spaldings' letters of a lifetime to make them accessible to music historians. Suzanne Winston and her husband, Oliver, now live in Lyme, New Hampshire.

Although the letters cover only the six months from January to June 1919, they enable the reader not only to share the intimate thoughts and aspirations of both lovers, but also to gain a rich insight into the artist's personality and philosophy. To read these letters is to meet, become acquainted with, and to admire Albert Spalding. Few musicians have shared their dreams, doubts, and innermost thoughts as completely or in such a polished manner as did Spalding.

This is a book for musicians, for those who love music, and for everyone who relishes good biography. In short, it is a self-portrait of a world-renowned instrumentalist who comes alive through his letters and who will remain alive in the memories of all those fortunate enough to read what he has written.