"Thor banging on the doors of Valhalla" (Leon Fleisher and Brahms) | tonebase Podcast - Episode 2

tonebase presents the tonic: a podcast about music and the people who make it.
Hosted by Lowry Yankwich, the tonic delves into the hidden meanings behind great works of the past with legendary pianists of the present. For more:
tb.media/thetonic
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.
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Producer: Ben Laude, Head of Piano / tonebase
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[@jtt306]

The entrance of the piano in this concerto is probably the greatest entrance of all time, of any concerto. So unexpected, yet perfect…and it’s more sepia tone than lavender.

[@drtmuir]

I think of it as quietly simmering.

[@kaorik4182]

I fell in love with the concerto the moment piano entered.

[@bachopinbee5991]

Amazing and wonderfully covered

[@zlauriault]

I really enjoyed this with the application of musicality along with great anecdotes to bring musical heritage alive, and of course tying it together with Leon Fleischer who the world was blessed to have. It's horrible what he went through with his hand, and also amazing the gifts he gave through teaching.

[@peterdixon7734]

"Thor banging on the doors of Valhalla" - an excellent quote. I wish that some delivery men would take note, as opposed to tapping shyly on the door and doing a runner, giving me a mere two seconds to respond. All delivery men must be inculcated in this music.

[@maximheijmerink1694]

Great podcast!

[@saltburner2]

Arguably, Szell conducted the four best recordings of this concerto, with Schnabel, Serkin, Curzon and Fleisher.

[@nickcy27]

Agreed and the Curzon performance is my favorite

[@ulfwernernielsen6708]

Szell made even two recordings of the Brahms 1 with Serkin , mono 1952 and stereo 1968 .

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

The best Brahms piano concerto no 1 players are Really=Radu Lupu Maria Grinberg Emil Gilels Witold Malcuzinski Bruno-Leonardo Gelber! Brahms concerto no 2 the best Grigory Sokolov Sviatoslav Richter Edwin Fischer!

[@paulgreen6921]

Yeah, I remember Fleisher referring to himself as a piano playing fool. I first heard him in a tape cassette recording of Beethoven’s first piano concerto. I was dazzled to hear such totally uninhibited pyrotechnics and musicality. I became an immediate fan. I first saw him as conductor of Saint Saens piano concerto #2 with his student Andre Watts as soloist back in 1988 at the Meyerhoff Hall. I think It marvelous that he settled in Baltimore to become more legendary than ever. Quite a long and productive musical life! Brava! PWG

[@svrfan]

what a fantastic essay is this, thanks!

[@francoismerigot2967]

😍

[@ransomcoates546]

Can’t take the voice.

[@1485edgewood]

which voice?

[@ransomcoates546]

@@1485edgewood The whiny narrator.

[@1485edgewood]

@@ransomcoates546 hmmm, didn't think he was whiny at all. Oh well, different tastes....

[@peter5.056]

@@ransomcoates546 it triggers my misophonia so hard. too close to the mic. it droves me crazy.