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carole888's review against another edition
4.0
A short but a surprising memoir filled with references to music, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the way it was written, … memories of the past interspersed with the present and the retelling of some of the adventures that came with that bicycle trip from UK to Hong Kong. How brave to do it alone. And the bicycle, called Vita is still used by the author today.
'Cadences are waypoints in the music, places where you can take a breather, readjust your instrument and hurtle on to the next bit of the adventure.”
“Our lives are full of interrupted cadences, full of moments when the direction is changed.”
'Cadences are waypoints in the music, places where you can take a breather, readjust your instrument and hurtle on to the next bit of the adventure.”
“Our lives are full of interrupted cadences, full of moments when the direction is changed.”
leemac027's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book but I must say I did not enjoy it as much as Danger Music which was written a few years later when Eddie was teaching music in Afghanistan - an incredible story.
However, I did enjoy reading about Eddie's cycling trip from England to Hong Kong. I found it a very brave thing to do by yourself and there were so many challenges along the way and a few potentially dangerous situations which thankfully worked out.
Being able to experience these countries while cycling would totally flood your senses, and this comes out in the writing. Stories about the people met and adventures experienced were fascinating. Trusting strangers was brave yet provided opportunities to see the real country and not the tourist destinations. Such an incredible achievement that also provided time for reflection about the future.
The only element of the book I found a bit difficult to get through were the regular dives into the technical side of music. Yes, I can see the passion behind this but sometimes it was a little too technical for someone that has not studied music for several decades - but a minor (excuse the pun) issue.
If you have not yet read Danger Music, I would recommend reading Cadence first and then Danger Music - not only for the context, but also I think the narrative in Danger Music is more compelling but just my opinion.
However, I did enjoy reading about Eddie's cycling trip from England to Hong Kong. I found it a very brave thing to do by yourself and there were so many challenges along the way and a few potentially dangerous situations which thankfully worked out.
Being able to experience these countries while cycling would totally flood your senses, and this comes out in the writing. Stories about the people met and adventures experienced were fascinating. Trusting strangers was brave yet provided opportunities to see the real country and not the tourist destinations. Such an incredible achievement that also provided time for reflection about the future.
The only element of the book I found a bit difficult to get through were the regular dives into the technical side of music. Yes, I can see the passion behind this but sometimes it was a little too technical for someone that has not studied music for several decades - but a minor (excuse the pun) issue.
If you have not yet read Danger Music, I would recommend reading Cadence first and then Danger Music - not only for the context, but also I think the narrative in Danger Music is more compelling but just my opinion.
polyhy_14's review against another edition
4.0
Starting with a difficult childhood and her early experiences of music making, and eventually travelling from England to Hong Kong, Emma Ayres describes the people and sights she encounters along the way with great clarity. Some of her adventures are frightening, but on the whole, she meets with great kindness and generosity. What makes her narrative stand out is the way in which she peppers it with her wonderfully poetic descriptions of music and music making, often using them as a metaphor for life's interior and external travels. Reading this book made me feel like I'd just taken part in an exhilarating journey. A side note; Emma has since transitioned to Ed, but as she was writing this as Emma, I've used the feminine pronoun.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
‘Cadences are waypoints in the music, places where you can take a breather, readjust your instrument and hurtle on to the next bit of the adventure.’
On 9 December 2000, Emma Ayres accompanied by Vita (her bicycle) and Aurelia (a three quarter length violin, borrowed from a student) arrived in Hong Kong. It was the end of a 16,000 kilometre journey that had started in England one Friday many months earlier. This is a book about a number of different aspects of life: about experiencing and being; about travel and music; about journeying through the past, making choices in the present and choosing possibilities for the future. Emma structures her memoir around musical keys, and writes of her own musical adventures and loves.
‘Our lives are full of interrupted cadences, full of moments when the direction is changed.’
Interspersed with Emma‘s descriptions of her journey to Hong Kong are memories of her childhood. Some memories are more positive than others and, if cycling provides a means of escape and enabling a buffer of distance from the past, then cycling 16,000 kilometres mostly alone provides an opportunity for a very considered introspective analysis.
‘To move forward, we need to make decisions. Whether they are right or wrong.’
But during her journey, in the present, Emma (mostly) enjoys the different experiences the journey affords. Being mistaken for a man (‘Emmett’) in Pakistan undoubtedly makes aspects of that part of her journey easier. In most places, music transcends many barriers, and in some cases even international borders.
‘Then you are very brave. This is your courage.’
I read this book because Emma Ayres is one of my favourite radio presenters. For the past few years I have been listening to her breakfast show on ABC Classic FM while I walk for between one and two hours most mornings. I’ve learned a lot about music – yes, even though I can’t read it or play an instrument – and have made the acquaintance of many new (to me) composers and pieces of classical music.
Emma Ayres is an accomplished viola player who has recently played with the Afghan Youth Orchestra and the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, about which she made two radio documentaries.
‘To share the value of music is the resolve of my life.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
On 9 December 2000, Emma Ayres accompanied by Vita (her bicycle) and Aurelia (a three quarter length violin, borrowed from a student) arrived in Hong Kong. It was the end of a 16,000 kilometre journey that had started in England one Friday many months earlier. This is a book about a number of different aspects of life: about experiencing and being; about travel and music; about journeying through the past, making choices in the present and choosing possibilities for the future. Emma structures her memoir around musical keys, and writes of her own musical adventures and loves.
‘Our lives are full of interrupted cadences, full of moments when the direction is changed.’
Interspersed with Emma‘s descriptions of her journey to Hong Kong are memories of her childhood. Some memories are more positive than others and, if cycling provides a means of escape and enabling a buffer of distance from the past, then cycling 16,000 kilometres mostly alone provides an opportunity for a very considered introspective analysis.
‘To move forward, we need to make decisions. Whether they are right or wrong.’
But during her journey, in the present, Emma (mostly) enjoys the different experiences the journey affords. Being mistaken for a man (‘Emmett’) in Pakistan undoubtedly makes aspects of that part of her journey easier. In most places, music transcends many barriers, and in some cases even international borders.
‘Then you are very brave. This is your courage.’
I read this book because Emma Ayres is one of my favourite radio presenters. For the past few years I have been listening to her breakfast show on ABC Classic FM while I walk for between one and two hours most mornings. I’ve learned a lot about music – yes, even though I can’t read it or play an instrument – and have made the acquaintance of many new (to me) composers and pieces of classical music.
Emma Ayres is an accomplished viola player who has recently played with the Afghan Youth Orchestra and the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, about which she made two radio documentaries.
‘To share the value of music is the resolve of my life.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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