Episode 2

A Lifelong Companion | Leon Fleisher and Brahms's First Concerto

What does it mean to live a life with a piece of music? Leon Fleisher made his Carnegie Hall debut performing the Brahms D Minor Piano Concerto, and played the piece many times throughout his life. But, in a story that is now well-worn, Fleisher developed focal dystonia at the peak of his career, limiting his use of his right hand for the next 30 years. In this episode, we draw parallels between the piece that Fleisher considered his "lifelong companion," the adversity he faced, and the constructive ways in which he responded to it.

Episode 2

Featured tonebase Artists

This episode features the voices of world-class pianists and professors. All of the interviews in this episode come directly from their lessons on tonebase. Click below to view profiles and lessons.

Leon Fleisher

Excerpts from "Reminiscences" interview, Parts 1 & 2; interview on Schnabel (unreleased); master class on Brahms D Minor Concerto with Rachel Naomi Kudo

A pupil of Schnabel and dubbed by Pierre Monteux as 'the pianistic find of the century,' Leon Fleisher sustained an extraordinary career as conductor, soloist, recitalist, chamber music artist, and teacher.

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Jon Kimura Parker

Excerpt from interview "The Piano Concerto from Mozart to the 20th Century"

Known for his passionate artistry and engaging stage presence, with multiple solo appearances at the Berlin Philharmonie, London’s South Bank, the Sydney Opera House, and the Beijing Concert Hall, Jon Kimura Parker continues to perform to great acclaim ever since his First Prize win at the 1984 Leeds Competition.

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Emanuel Ax

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin's First Ballade and Barcarolle

Decorated Sony Classical recording artist and a perennial favorite on the big stage at Carnegie, Emanuel Ax is world-renowned for his solo and chamber music performances alike.

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Recordings used in this episode

Bach/Rachmaninoff: Gavotte from Violin Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006, Andrew Tyson performing, recorded by tonebase, published October 10, 2020 on Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiEzdspj-7c&t=0s.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15, Leon Fleisher, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra performing, 1953, reissued by Sony Classical, 1997.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15, Leon Fleisher, Lawrence Foster and Rai National Symphony Orchestra performing, Turin, 1998. Published 8 January 2011 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pknWt3OzZEE.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat, Op. 83, Leon Fleisher, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra performing, 1963, Epic, reissued by Sony Classical, 1997.Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15, Artur Schnabel, George Szell and the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing, 1938, Warner Classics. Published to Youtube 3 June 2013. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxieMt2xrts.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat, Op. 19, Leon Fleisher, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra performing, 1961, Epic, reissued by Sony Classical, 2002.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58, Leon Fleisher, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra performing, 1959, Epic, reissued by CBS Masterworks, 1990.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata In F minor, Op. 2, No. 1, Artur Schnabel performing, WMG. Published to Youtube 5 September 2012. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGsEYaKsb60.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Sergei Rachmaninoff and the Philadelphia Orchestra performing, 1929. Published to Youtube 15 March 2021. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7yAbSgOImI.

Bach/Brahms: Chaconne from Partita II for Violin in D minor, BWV 1004, Leon Fleisher performing, 1993, Sony Classical. Published to Youtube 15 September 2015. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CbAmyCca0c