subscribeLeon Fleisher was interviewed by Jim Svejda on KUSC in October 2008 in a two part broadcast. I was glued to the conversation. A profound examination of the art of music, playing, and above all listening. Fleisher lost the use of his right hand due to focal dystonia. In the interim he focused on teaching, conducting and continued performing the left-handed repertoire. Unfortunately these inteviews are not available for transcript due to copyright laws. Below is the playlist from program one, all performed by Leon Fleisher. All Impressive.
This track is from Fleisher’s first recording in 40 years after regaining the use of his right hand, “Two Hands”, released by Vanguard Classics in 2004. Please enjoy listening to “Sheep May Safely Graze” by J.S. Bach from “The Birthday Cantata”.
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The Record Shelf with Jim Svejda
The Best of The Record Shelf:
A conversation with the American pianist Leon Fleisher. The first of two programs.
(All recordings with pianist Leon Fleisher, unless otherwise noted)
J.S. BACH: Cantata No. 208: Sinfonia; Sheep May Safely Graze.
Bach Collegium, Helmut Rilling.
Hanssler 92.065.
GRAINGER: Blithe Bells. BBC Philharmonic, Richard Hickox.
Chandos 9493.
BACH/PETRI: Sheep May Safely Graze.
Vanguard 1551.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor.”
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
SCARLATTI: Sonata in E, K. 380.
Vanguard 1551.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, “Pathetique”
Artur Schnabel, pf.
Naxos 8.110695.
LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11.
William Kapell, pf.
RCA 68994.
STRAUSS: Don Juan.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 36721.
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C., K. 503.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
RAVEL: Alborada del Gracioso.
Philips 456775-2.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 1.
Artur Schnabel, pf.
Naxos 8.110694.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor.”
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
SCHUBERT: Wanderer Fantasy, D. 760.
Sony 47667.
RAVEL: Piano Concerto in D, For the Left Hand.
Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa.
Sony 47188.
The Record Shelf
with Jim Svejda
The Best of The Record Shelf:
A conversation with the American pianist Leon Fleisher. The first of two programs.
(All recordings with pianist Leon Fleisher, unless otherwise noted)
J.S. BACH: Cantata No. 208: Sinfonia; Sheep May Safely Graze.
Bach Collegium, Helmut Rilling.
Hanssler 92.065.
GRAINGER: Blithe Bells. BBC Philharmonic, Richard Hickox.
Chandos 9493.
BACH/PETRI: Sheep May Safely Graze.
Vanguard 1551.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor.”
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
SCARLATTI: Sonata in E, K. 380.
Vanguard 1551.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, “Pathetique”
Artur Schnabel, pf.
Naxos 8.110695.
LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11.
William Kapell, pf.
RCA 68994.
STRAUSS: Don Juan.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 36721.
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C., K. 503.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
RAVEL: Alborada del Gracioso.
Philips 456775-2.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 1.
Artur Schnabel, pf.
Naxos 8.110694.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor.”
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat.
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell.
Sony 42445.
SCHUBERT: Wanderer Fantasy, D. 760.
Sony 47667.
RAVEL: Piano Concerto in D, For the Left Hand.
Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa.
Sony 47188.
The Record Shelf
with Jim Svejda
The Best of The Record Shelf:
The conclusion of a two-part conversation with pianist Leon Fleisher.
(All recordings with pianist Leon Fleisher, unless otherwise noted)
BRAHMS: Quintet in f Minor
Emerson String Quartet
DG 871802
RACHMANINOFF: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell
CBS/Sony 37812
RAVEL: Piano Concerto in D, For the Left Hand.
PROKOFIEV: Concerto for Piano left hand no 4 in B flat major
Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa.
Sony 47188.
KORNGOLD: Suite for Piano left hand and Strings, Op. 23
Joseph Silverstein, vl.; Jaime Laredo, vl.; Yo-Yo Ma, vc.
Sony 48253.
CHOPIN: Nocturne in Db Op. 27
Vanguard 1551
BRAHMS: Concerto for Piano no 1 in D minor
Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell
Sony 63225
