Last Living Student of Rachmaninoff - Ruth Slenczynska - Performing at 97!

Ruth Slenczynska has had one of the longest performing careers of any concert pianist. She started performing at the age of 4 and was heralded as one of the greatest child proteges since Mozart! She is still performing the piano and recording at the age of 97! Becoming a concert pianist is all the more remarkable considering her dark past growing up with a father who was described in a book she wrote years ago, "Forbidden Childhood".
Madame Slenczynska had the opportunity to study piano with several musical legends of the piano including, Artur Schanbel, Alfred Cortot, Egon Petri, Josef Hofmann, and Nadia Boulanger.
She is also the last living student of Sergei Rachmaninoff.
She has performed for several presidents and even played a duet with Harry Truman!
She has toured throughout the world and her recordings have left a lasting legacy. Decca records recently re-released her historic recordings in a 10 CD box set which has been received with critical acclaim and is already in its second run. They recently engaged her to record another album, and she continues to play concerts.
Full Article:
livingpianos.com/last-living-...
Complete American Decca Recordings
by SLENCZYNSKA,RUTH; WIENER SYMPHONIKER
www.amazon.com/Complete-Ameri...
Music At Your Fingertips: Advice For The Artist And Amateur On Playing The Piano
www.amazon.com/Music-At-Your-...
My Life In Music
Ruth Slenczynska (Artist)
www.amazon.com/My-Life-Music-...

[@aimilize3518]

Shes been performing for almost a whole century at this point. Just think about that

[@spidaman0112]

Hope she goes over that mark

[@markrymanowski719]

And hardly anyone has ever heard of her, including me. How come?

[@HenryArko]

@@markrymanowski719 The world can be bigger than you can imagine

[@TheKingofnobody]

This is a incredible interview!! The one thing I love to hear is that she still practices in old age even if she can’t practice as much as she use to. You can tell her mind is still sharp even at 97! Thank you for doing this!

[@LivingPianosVideos]

When she was a child, she used to practice 9 hours a day. So now the amount of practicing is probably more than you think!

[@miltonmoore8369]

IF SHE IS PLAYING THE PIANO AT AGE 97 WELL ENOUGH TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A VIDEO LIKE THIS IT WOULD FOLLOW THAT HER MIND IS STILL SHARP.

[@kentbell6757]

@@LivingPianosVideos Wow, I thought I've been practicing enough 4 hours a day. I love Rachmaninoff as the greatest pianist, his dedication, fluently playing all scales in fast tempo, etc. She's living proof about Rachmaninoff. Thank you very much for this video sir.

[@alanleoneldavid1787]

This is great! That woman is a legend. One of my favorites pianist. Love her recording of Feux Follets

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Here is the recording for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqK9pqlsbLCVl8U

[@miltonmoore8369]

SHE IS A "LIVING LEGEND." A PERSON DOESN'T BECOME A LEGEND UNTIL THEY DIE.

[@nickk8416]

Thanks Robert. Simply fabulous. Love to see Ruth doing so well. Loved hearing about your lessons with her. Best Regards.

[@jacquelinerubin8274]

Thank you Robert. I read her book so many years ago and here she is after having such a rich life in music. And still practicing !!!! Her wisdom is truly inspiring. I will remember her words as I practice!

[@ThePolypam]

Thank you, sir, for introducing us to this remarkable artist of indomitable spirit. I just looked and was simply delighted to see she's still with us. You showed such reverence and warmth to her. This was wonderful. I have added her record to my playlist.

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Fantastic! Thanks so much!

[@thejuggler]

This is amazing. Sharp as a tack at 97. Ms. Slencyznska is an inspiration, Congrats! Robert on this living historical interview. #Musiclife #Actorslife

[@davidsussman7476]

True, this video went up only today, but I'm surprised no one has commented yet. Fascinating interview. I'm reminded of Seymour Bernstein, who at 94 is still hale and playing the piano (I'll wait with bated breath for the magazine cover story about how ninety is the new forty--or something or other). Here's hoping that Lebanon Valley College will film Slencyznska's performance and post it on their website or even KZbin.

[@Isa-sj4gq]

Wow, she is amazing, truly an inspiration

[@AtomizedSound]

This is so amazing! She’s doing what she loves so well into that age! It’s inspiring and to know what history she’s seen and been apart of in our world. Many blessings to her!

[@user-qe4dw8dy9i]

Thanks for another great video, Robert. And thanks, Ruth, for taking the time to share with us.

[@vanguard4065]

thank you for wonderful video 🔥

[@antjamnow1286]

Love this video! Thanks for the interview insight with this lovely lady. 97 and still sharp as a tack!

[@gothicel]

Thank you for this amazing treat, amazing to experience such a great artist.

[@NachoTSM]

Amazing interview Robert. Thank you very much for sharing. Very inspiring

[@beethovensg]

Outstanding presentation! Thank You

[@emelrynvebsdichoso9419]

So inspiring! Thanks for sharing this with us, Robert.

[@Simon-xu1qt]

Wonderful interview. Thank you

[@achaley4186]

Thank you so much for this wonderful and very inspiring video! Truly made my day, 🙏🏼😊❤️

[@James_Bowie]

What a fantastic interview with a truly remarkable person. Thank you. 👍👍👍

[@franklyvulgar1]

Bravo she’s amazing and great what a interview thank you

[@brendaboykin3281]

Fantastic conversation. Many thanks to both of you. Inspiring. 🌹🌹🔥🔥🌹🌹

[@scottderrick8166]

Nice job, Robert! Thanks for sharing this with your audience.

[@hesipege]

God bless this woman! Such awe inspiring talent combined with such humility is a powerful force! Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@sharonerhuchannel1223]

I really love the words that Ruth has spoken! It's so inspirational and a golden rule to all musicians. Thank you so much for the interview!

[@carolmarshall7105]

Robert, thank you for such a wonderful interview. What a delightful musician and a joy filled person….she makes the joy of life and music contagious.

[@cindymcfarlane9371]

Nice interview! Some really great insight on finding your own story when creating music!

[@shilloshillos]

Her book is quite worth reading, she was a victim of extreme psychological, even physical abuse by her father. Its astonishing that she didn't succumb to depression, alcoholism, self destruction etc but actually lived a successful long life and is in fact still going!!!

[@davegallagher4498]

Amazing woman and a very good interview style allowing her to express herself fully without interruption. Good job. Wonderful comment on her part about playing from your imagination and making it your own through your experiences. Wonderful piece of advice.

[@sallywebber6579]

lovely interview. The lady has a beautiful spirit. Thank you. Warmest regards, Chris

[@phyllisgordon6577]

Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story of a musical genius.

[@iansutton9746]

Truly wonderful video. I had A Liszt recording by Madam Slencyznska on Lp in the 1950s. What a marvellous artist! Delighted she's still performing such imaginative programs.

[@qiweihuang5236]

Always appreciate your videos, I am sure they are very beneficial to many piano lovers out there

[@janking2762]

You are an amazingly sensitive interviewer for this amazing lady. You know what I mean. I live not too far from Lebanon Valley College and am publicizing this concert to my musical friends. Thanks so much!

[@emersontalkington8750]

Amazing. I have a Mason and Hamlin piano that was given to me and the lady who owned it actually got to play with Rachmaninoff and I just love his pieces. It’s just cool to me I have a piano that I has some history with him😂 thank you so much!

[@mariaperetto34]

Thank you for this interesting video.!

[@violinow1673]

Thank you so much. So moved by her wisdom, words and great stories. I might write her words in my violin journal.

[@galinakrivulin6767]

Thank you for the interview. What a story! She is doing what she has been doing all her life. Age? It is irrelevant. Just listen to Madame Ruth Slenczynska.

[@hudsonsoul1121]

Probably the longest video RE has done and rightly so. Superb interview, always interesting listening to the elite players and l include RE in this.

[@DSMS-nu4vj]

Hi Robert, this was such a treat and eye-opening experience! This was truly awe-inspiring! You too are inspiring with your uplifting mood and personality, I admired the love and respect you showed toward Ruth Slenczynska. What a great example from this near centenarian for us older musicians! Practice, practice, practice is the theme! It is obviously good for you with many health benefits. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@PiergiorgioWilson]

This is incredible, Robert! My father is my piano teacher and I first found out about Ms. Slenczynska years ago through a story he told me involving Rachmaninoff meeting Ms. Slenczynska after she had performed a concert filling in for him. She is absolutely incredible today doing what she has loved for all of her life. I have so much respect for her! Thank you for doing this interview!

[@christianfthomsen]

Super interview!

[@geoff7517]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@beatlessteve1010]

Thank you Bob for all the musical knowledge and inspiration you have given me ...I feel like you are a friend..!

[@sheryljohnson9540]

What a wonderful interview! We also enjoyed seeing her on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday (available on KZbin now). She is truly a remarkable artist and an inspiration.

[@Jarnagua]

I'm so inspired right now. I'm going to practice all weekend. I wish I could talk with her for an entire year. What a BOSS!

[@reginaldbarnes632]

I had an old decca recording of her playing the chopin etudes. Electrifying....to this day I've never heard anyone bring them to life the way she did. God bless.

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

Absolutely delightful - a privilege to be a fly on the wall for this one.

[@clydebermingham121]

“MUSIC IS A FEELING THAT COMES OVER YOU” (What a Priceless Precious GEM 💎 of a Statement 🙏🏽) I believe that statement is true for whatever style or kind of music one may be into 🙏🏽 She has most certainly truly ‘defined’, or at least accurately described what music is .... at least to me 🙏🏽

[@clydebermingham121]

She’s such a TREASURE 💥🙏🏽💥

[@metubetomuch]

Great video. Very interesting. Thanks.

[@MrInterestingthings]

When I hear her intelligence,practicality and the depth of her insight . I just sigh! Personal subjective story as a way to make connection! I wish I could meet her just once. Truman played piano and loved Hofmann's playing! Did girl iz as real as it gits! Thankyou to Mme.Sleczenska and the video presenter. She knows so much but above all she's down to earth and so humble never tries to make a thing more than it is. Born in Sacramento. Everyone who meets her must fall in love immediately! Gawd the great artists her path crossed. I hope she writes. So many great imaginations don't become big touring artists she has always played. Untiring great artist she knows about life! I must get her book:Forbidden Childhood.

[@cindymcfarlane9371]

Loved your stories!!

[@1martharega1]

This was so interesting. I enjoyed hearing her philosophy of life. And she reminds me of younger but famous artists who are down to earth and matter of fact about the gift of music they have been given. I want to play the piano now!

[@Magnet12]

Interview her again please! This one was TOO SHORT!

[@andresig1]

She is incredible !!! I simply love her!!

[@beatlessteve1010]

Incredible and awesome and just unbelievably great!!!!!!

[@meimeizizi]

Thank you for reveille the real Jewel for us. Very impressed. When is her next performance, we really like to have an opportunity to listen her performance in person. 🙏🙏🙏

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Full Recital: Sunday, February 6 at 3:00 pm at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania

[@WillsJazzLoft]

Wow! That's awesome

[@pianostudy4403]

Wow! So incredible!

[@tentrade2]

Wonderful interview 👍👍👍 plan to attend her concert in Lebanon Valley College 🙏🙏🙏

[@troyalcorn1184]

Always growing is the message I take from this. Never give up and keep trying. Never give up wanting but also do give up doing if it isn't for your own desire. Too many don't know what defines desire. Desire is wanting. Simple and direct. Desire versus knowing your own personal desire isn't easy. Knowing to say no is important. IDK how to advise anyone because I am not trying to advise anyone. This video roughs me up in an odd way because I desire to tell the truth while I see the world pushing everyone to not tell the truth. IDK what is happening maybe I am the one that is lost. IDK I know she is not lost :)

[@shapes2000]

What a great interview, thank you! I love how you look like a kid again Robert, impressed by one of your great teachers.

[@bodaciouscans]

This is amazing!

[@bodaciouscans]

so inspiring...

[@ikbelsoua]

you two are so wise and fun. you are beautifull. Thank you

[@josiahconlee]

So incredible!

[@gailrivas762]

Beautiful!!!

[@on-the-spot9467]

This content is gold.

[@nicholashill9302]

Am in tears just listening!! "A richness they didn't know they had. "

[@VirtuousPraiseworthy]

What a treat!

[@juntin810]

beautiful!

[@gasparocelloman9852]

Marvellous!!

[@alcyonecrucis]

Great stories Mrs. Ruth!!

[@TrinityMozart]

This lady sounds very talented, and spectacularly healthy. O may the good Lord bless this her. ❤️🙏

[@troyalcorn1184]

I love Ruth's account of her times of which she speaks about. Truth and honesty is good :) I wish more people told the truth.

[@lottewied1937]

So real ,so honest without pretence. Just carry on with your talent and imagination .

[@APotatoWT]

she's amazing!

[@clydebermingham121]

🤗 “I knew You since You were a little boy” 🤗... (So PRICELESS... 🤗)

[@williampowell6656]

What an inspiration .

[@gregorydolhy1407]

Very inspiring life

[@rock9529]

great!!!😄😄😄😄

[@adanayup9268]

Me gusto mucho el comentario de que la música con contar una historia...eso es cierto y no lo había pensado...

[@classicallpvault8251]

It's amazing to have a link to a bygone era of music. Fun fact: I had a few Skype lessons with a former Cziffra student, Belgian pianist Geert Dehoux, back in 2014, via his teacher Cziffra, who studied with Dohnanyi, who in turn studied with Eugene D'Albert, and his teacher Liszt, and Liszt's teacher Czerny I can trace back my paedagogical 'lineage' to Beethoven and Haydn, lol.

[@ericcommarato7727]

This lady is in fantastic shape for 97...unbelievable!

[@adriancressy8363]

This goes to prove that learning any musical instrument when one is 3 or 4 yrs old; will get the new student to LOVE their instrument and even be able to play classical music. It opens the mind and trains for discipline and math. Young kids generally do much better in school studying a musical instrument. My nephews and nieces are all musicians from their early years and are now adults and very successful in life.

[@88888RM]

God bless her!

[@clydebermingham121]

I LOVE ❤️ HER 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽🤗

[@edigabrieli7864]

I think music is a philosophy a way of life. All musician I know are special people, when we get together (made exception for Rappers and such) we automatically forget colors religions and politics.

[@melaubach]

What a wonderful interview with an extraordinary artist and cool lady! When is her Lebanon Valley College recital? I live about 90 minutes away in Wilkes-Barre PA and would love to attend if possible!

[@jwoodrff]

What a charmer

[@rogerpianoking1945]

I’ve not heard of Ruth before to be honest but she’s a great pianist by all accounts. I’m trying to record video the Scarlatti sonata k135 at the minute, but keep having a bit of red light/doubt syndrome never mind trying to play it in public. I just play for a bit of fun 😂and try to record the odd video. So I can sort of understand when she comments about doubting your ability, but playing to that level is a big test mentally as well the physical aspect. So even the greats like Horowitz had their bad times, as did Ruth. Interesting video though and amazing that she is still playing at that age. 😮👍

[@vanguard4065]

she looks and sounds so healthy!

[@DandGBears]

❤️❤️❤️

[@MrInterestingthings]

We need more focus in entertainment about what it means to be a true artist:passion,ability to know how to work sensibly, imagination and Curiosity!

[@fredrickroll06]

I wanted to hear about Rachmaninoff!

[@mckernan603]

I’d love an interview on what it was like to take a lesson from Rach

[@happypiano4810]

First! Also, this is so cool!

[@vanguard4065]

she also studied with Cortot and Hofmann wow

[@antonmullerdfernandez4503]

💐🌹🍁🥀🍀👏👏👏

[@gjoseph1628]

She is a wonderful find! But can she play the Happy Birthday song?

[@papagen00]

I once heard a pianist whose teacher studied with the great-grand niece of a cousin of Mozart's 5th and only surviving son Xaver.