Gerald Elias' "Danse Macabre"

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A graduate of Yale, Gerald Elias has been a Boston Symphony violinist, Associate Concertmaster of the Utah Symphony since 1988, Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Utah, first violinist of the Abramyan String Quartet, and Music Director of the Vivaldi Candlelight concert series.

Here he shares his preference for casting the lead in adaptations of his novels, Devil's Trill and the recently released Danse Macabre:

Move over, De Niro and Pacino. For Daniel Jacobus in Devil's Trill and Danse Macabre I want Alan Arkin, in my mind one of America's greatest actors ever, who can play any kind of role convincingly. That's why I want him for Jacobus, flinty and sarcastic on the outside, heart of gold on the inside, afflicted with blindness and old age, a profound artist yet coarse and neglectful in his worldly tastes. Think of Arkin's portrayal of a deaf mute in The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, one of the most poignant roles ever in cinema, and then in Little Miss Sunshine, and Wait Until Dark, and The Russians Are Coming, and Catch 22. Without a doubt, he's the man!

Learn more about the book and author at Gerald Elias' website.

The Page 69 Test: Devil's Trill.

The Page 69 Test: Danse Macabre.

--Marshal Zeringue