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Internationally renowned pianist James Rhodes has struck a two-book deal with Quercus, starting with a book that will show how "anyone with two hands", and willing to practice 45 minutes a day, can learn to play Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major in six weeks. He has previously been published by Canongate.
Rhodes' book, called How To Play the Piano, is due in October and for anyone, even if they have never touched a piano before. The key to the book is breaking the Bach's masterpiece into manageable segments and encouraging "personal interpretation in a way that is guaranteed to soothe the mind, feed the soul and unleash creative powers we didn't know we still had".
A second book, earmarked for 2017 and provisionally called Notes From the Inside, has also been acquired. Non fiction publisher Katy Follain bought world rights in both books from Denis Blais of Denis Blais Management Ltd.
Rhodes, who is a concert pianist, writer and TV presenter, said: "I'm so thrilled to be part of Quercus and to continue working with Katy Follain, my brilliant editor. Both of these books encapsulate the things I hold closest to my heart - creativity and the roller coaster ride that is the human condition."
The Supreme Court overthrew an injunction placed on Rhodes' memoir Instrumental (Canongate Books) that was instigated by his ex-wife last year.
Follain said: "It’s an amazing privilege and honour to publish James’ books. He is the best communicator of what mental illness entails I have ever met, and of the significance of creativity – more specifically, classical music. This combination makes him a writer who is essential to our society and our understanding of what’s important in life."
How To Play the Piano will be published by Quercus on 6th October 2016.