Linda Holt

I grew up poor in New Jersey. Once I showed an interest in classical music, it was strictly forbidden: too expensive, too crazy! That’s all I needed: I became obsessed—and still am—especially with Beethoven (see my books Invictus and The Black Spaniard by L. L. Holt). I took every opportunity to study music and attend concerts, with secret, behind-the-scenes support from my dad, a cook, who bought me a guitar, music stand, and any sheet music and albums that came his way. I put myself through college taking every music history, criticism, and theory class in sight, eagerly working by night as the critic-at-large for a daily newspaper. Today, I have had six books and thousands of articles published, earned master’s and doctoral degrees, and visit Vienna when I can. I am just as bewitched as when I bought my first Mozart album when I was 12, lost my heart and was catapulted into the stars.