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Leon Fleisher: Two Hands

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In pianist Leon Fleisher's return to playing with both hands, an indomitable spirit has triumphed over physical adversity. Not that he has been absent from music since losing the use of his right hand to focal dystonia in 1965: in addition to forging a successful career as teacher and conductor, he performed the left-hand literature with peerless mastery, enlarging it with new commissions. However, he persisted in searching for a cure, and his determination has now borne fruit: this is his first record of the two-hand repertoire in 40 years. It is altogether extraordinary. Always a great pianist and musician, Fleisher has lost none of his powerful, consummate technique (not surprisingly, his left hand is enormously strong), his rhythmic and tonal control, his expressive projection. His sound is ravishingly beautiful, rich, full, singing, delicate, capable of infinite variations of dynamics, color and nuance; his intellectual and emotional concentration are riveting. The program features familiar short pieces and Schubert's great last sonata. Two Bach transcriptions, one by Myra Hess, one by Egon Petri, are overloaded and artificial, but played with reverential simplicity; a Scarlatti Sonata is scintillating without being fast; a Chopin Mazurka and Nocturne and Debussy's "Clair de lune" are frankly sentimental, very poetic, free, slow and dreamy. They invite the listener to focus on the playing rather than the music. The Schubert is monumental. Fleisher's vitality and exuberance belie his 75 years, though his impetuosity sometimes leads to jerkiness (in the Scherzo), and rushed tempi (in the Finale). His dynamics can be wayward, but the texture, even at its richest, is always crystal clear; every line stands out, indeed some seem newly discovered. There is plenty of time for reposeful rests, poised transitions, changes of harmony, color and mood; the sense of depth, breadth, coherence and continuity never falters. --Edith Eisler

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From: Amazon Posted: May 06, 2008 Type: User Review

Love this album

This is one of the most beautiful and personal recordings I have ever heard. There's really nothing more to say. I just wish it were a double album.

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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Mar 17, 2008 Type: User Review

Divine Pianism

After more than 35 years of suffering from dystonia, his two-hand pianism emerges like a miracle! I can not detect even a hint of disability in his right hand. Like S.Richter in his later years, Fleisher's playing has a kind of rarified beauty and...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Oct 27, 2007 Type: User Review

Artistry and Strenght

I look for this CD after having heard in a Lisbon radio, a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Fleisher playing Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze. I was so moved by his interpretation, by the beauty and simplicity of that piece that I immediately start looking...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Apr 15, 2007 Type: User Review

Classical piano doesn't get any better than this

This is a beautifully produced album by a master of the piano. Listening to the piano transcription of Sheep May Safely Graze is worth the price of admission alone. The Schubert D flat major sonata is moving and powerful. The Chopin delightful and...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Jan 11, 2007 Type: User Review

F leisher's triumphant return.

It is thrilling and soul-satisfying to hear Leon Fleisher's superb and sensitive playing of Bach, Scarlatti, Chopin, Debussy and Schubert after dystonia had prevented two-handed performances for more than 35 years.

The Fleisher tapes...
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5.00/5

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