A Conversation with Ruth Slenczynska

A filmed Zoom conversation held in July 2023 with Ruth Slenczynska.
Aged 98 at the time of this conversation, Ms. Slenczynska discusses the five famous pianistic legends with whom she had training in her formative years: Josef Hofmann, Alfred Cortot, Egon Petri, Artur Schnabel, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
I have found that Ms. Slenczynska has often been asked about her time with some of these legendary artists individually but as I had never heard her discuss all five at the same time, this was the organizing principle of this conversation.
This thoroughly engaging conversation provides an opportunity for the pianist to share some fascinating recollections.
A few details worth noting based on some inquiries I made after filming:
- A colleague states that Ravel did not officially teach but he may have offered some guest appearances at the Conservatoire for his friend Marguerite Long
- The Sousa/Souza pianist named in the discussions in Paris is clearly not the John Philip Souza 'march king' who lived much earlier; this last name is common amongst the Portuguese and Brazilians, and it is possible that this 'march' memory was a reference being made by Ravel and others at the time to a student's famous namesake. We have not yet identified the full name of this pianist (João de Souza Lima was thought to be a possibility, but he left Paris in 1929, before Slenczynska arrived, and it's unclear if he visited after that time).
Of significant interest in this conversation is Slenczynska sharing the technique that Rachmaninoff taught her to create a big sound at the keyboard - a fascinating insight!
Many thanks to Shelly Moorman-Stahlman for having coordinated this opportunity!
If you wish to support The Piano Files, please consider membership at my Patreon page: / thepianofiles

[@topclassical]

What struck me most was the wisdom of Rachmaninoff, to point out to her father she should not concertize until she was ready for it.Thanks for this insightful conversation!

[@claudio7448]

it is very interesting to listen to Mrs. Slenczynska so naturally recount the encounters of a lifetime

[@fredwanger9337]

Extraordinary window on the past, really important document: Thank you Mark.

[@Sofronichrist]

Wonderful interview! Thank you so much to both of you for this beautiful conversation 🙏

[@meta4sbewithu]

How soft spoken she is. So glad to find this interview. ❤

[@thrassyvoulospapadopoulos3565]

It is so amazing already! THANKS Mark!

[@jeffhollon1255]

Delightful!!!! She is precious!! A treasure. Thank you for sharing!

[@sergeihsiao4011]

Oh....so touch....thank you....❤

[@thrassyvoulospapadopoulos3565]

She is so charming and so serious at the same time!

[@HofmannScores]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!

[@Chopinetto]

Hey Mark, just let you know that all the work you are doing is priceless. Thank you so much.

[@evamillovici]

Fantastic ❤

[@1fattyfatman]

Can you do more of these? Creating a greater record of this extraordinary life is critical.

[@thrassyvoulospapadopoulos3565]

She's so wonderful!

[@PianoLessons]

Thanks for this Mark!~

[@emarel]

Extremely illuminating! Thank you!

[@spind]

Mark, what a magnificent interview! Thank you & Happy New Year 🎊!!!

[@valicalin17]

How important archeology of music history! Congratulations and Happy New Year!

[@Valentina-Steinway]

This was wonderful.❤

[@Bayreuth1943]

Wow wow wow, she is wonderful!