The book is loosely based on Goldworthy's daughter Anna's piano lessons with Russian emigre pianist Eleonora Sivan (born 1941),[1] who had moved to Adelaide in 1981 as a refugee.
[2] The protagonist, a boy called Paul Crabbe, is taught piano by his teacher (or maestro), Eduard Keller.
As Paul matures, Keller's phrasings, which seemed absurd in adolescence, ossify into a "musical bible whose texts I knew by heart"..
Paul is educated about life through music and Keller's experiences in Vienna and understanding of human nature.
[5] The upcoming film Maestro (in pre-production as of November 2023), written and directed Catherine Jarvis and starring Klaus Maria Brandauer.