Music and Silence

An inspiring picture book biography of a UN Peace Medal recipient who used his songs—and his silence—to fight fascism, oppression, and violence. 

One day in Catalonia, Spain, eleven-year-old Pau Casals was captivated by the cello—setting him on a path toward international fame (as a cellist) and extraordinary courage (as an advocate for social justice). 

Playing the cello would take Pau all over the world, performing in palaces, concert halls, even the White House. People called him Pablo Casals now, and he was famous and beloved. But when the events of Spanish Civil War and World War II left his homeland ruled by a dictator, Pablo made a dramatic decision: he would silence his music until Spain was free. Would the world ever hear his cello sing again? 

Illustrated in vibrant, joyous color by Catalonian artist Mariona Cabassa, Music and Silence introduces children to a man who was not just a master of the cello, but a remarkable model of sacrifice and artistic protest. After the story, readers can learn more about Pablo Casals through creator notes, historical notes, a timeline, a bibliography, and links to performances and interviews.