The Musicians

France’s beloved cartoonist celebrates the bravery of the soloist, the camaraderie of the ensemble, the triumph of the orchestra in an endearing and funny, brilliant gift book for all music lovers. In 65 drawings, including 16 in mixed media and full color, Sempe’s whimsical music-makers play all the time, anywhere-practicing, performing, alone or together, at recitals, sessions, and concerts, with audiences or a small boy takes on Mozart, an elderly woman struggles with “Echo of Harlem.” They are caught in an overwhelming culture, but-like the speck-sized cellist of the last page-they move “towards a simpler world” through the music they make. This is a book that the New York Times praised as “A delicious, evocative album of caricature. . . . Sempe’s line becomes music.” Said Leonard Bernstein, “Sempe is a comedic genius, who gives all of us musicians the invaluable gift of redeeming our solemnity with the grace of humor.”