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Interview with Leon Fleisher
November 14, 2003
by Silvester Vicic, Minnesota Public Radio
audio Listen to Fleisher perform "My Sheep May Safely Graze" by J.S. Bach, arranged by Egon Petri (4:52s)

  Leon Fleisher
 
Leon Fleisher

Leon Fleisher was in the Twin Cities for a performance with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota on November 16, 2003. He's widely acknowledged as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Because of an injury to his right hand ( focal dystonia ), most likely caused by repetitive stress syndrome, his concert career came to an abrupt halt in 1965. He took that opportunity to regroup and take on the left-handed repertoire for the piano, in addition to becoming a conductor, an arts administrator and a renowned teacher. Minnesota Public Radio's Silvester Vicic talked with him about his career, his recent solo recital at Carnegie Hall, his philosophies on teaching, the arts and music, and his visit to the Twin Cities.

audio Playing chamber music (2:32s)

audio On October 31 st , 2003, Leon Fleisher played at Carnegie Hall, both left-hand and two-hand piano pieces. (2:05s)

audio How Leon Fleisher chooses the two-handed repertoire that he now plays (1:18s)

audio Musicians are athletes too (3:13s)

audio The performer as star (3:57s)

audio Approaches to music and conducting (4:52s)

audio 10 years ago, Leon Fleisher met with Tessy Brungardt, a Rolfing practitioner who brought his right hand back to be able to play again. (7:28s)

 

Leon Fleisher Features on Minnesota Public Radio
Music on Composer's Datebook
 document "Ravel left and right " (January 05, 2001)
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): Piano Concerto in D
Leon Fleisher, piano; Baltimore Symphony; Sergui Commissiona, cond.
Philips 456 775

document My Favorite CDs
by Hugh Wolff, Music Director, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, April 1998
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
Leon Fleisher, piano; Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell (Sony 63225)
"I was privileged to study piano with Leon Fleisher for four years. He, Szell, and the Cleveland are a legendary team. For my money, this is their greatest collaboration and the best recording of this music ever made."

More Resources
linked document Leon Fleisher biography
linked document Chamber Music Society of Minnesota

 
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