Leon Fleisher: Four Hands
Leon Fleisher & Katherine Jacobson (piano)
The opening movements of Schubert's Fantasie in F minor may be ponderously slow and sombre, but the return of the first theme in major mode - and its run-up to the deep finality of the coda...
Leon Fleisher: Four Hands
Leon Fleisher & Katherine Jacobson (piano)
Purchase product
The opening movements of Schubert's Fantasie in F minor may be ponderously slow and sombre, but the return of the first theme in major mode - and its run-up to the deep finality of the coda...
About
A ‘follow up’ to Leon Fleisher’s legendary ‘Two Hands’ recording, this release is a selection of piano duets performed with his wife Katherine Jacobson. The attractive repertoire includes Brahms’ ‘Liebeslieder’, Schubert’s ‘Fantasia’, Ravel’s ‘La Valse’ and Bolcom’s ‘Graceful Ghost Rag.’ Leon Fleisher is considered a living legend among the group of distinguished American pianists who emerged in the late forties and early fifties and is linked via Schnabel to a tradition that descended directly from Beethoven himself, handed down through Carl Czerny and Theodor Leschetizky In the mid-sixties, the onset of what was later diagnosed as focal dystonia in the right hand forced Fleisher to curtail his playing. As Fleisher sought a variety of remedies, he resumed concertizing with repertoire for left hand. In the early 21st century, Fleisher was able to ameliorate his focal dystonia symptoms after experimental botox injections to the point where he could play with both hands again.
Contents and tracklist
- Leon Fleisher, Katherine Jacobson
- Leon Fleisher, Katherine Jacobson
- Leon Fleisher, Katherine Jacobson
- Leon Fleisher, Katherine Jacobson
Awards and reviews
December 2015
The opening movements of Schubert's Fantasie in F minor may be ponderously slow and sombre, but the return of the first theme in major mode - and its run-up to the deep finality of the coda - is beautifully effected. La valse, arranged by Ravel's editor and friend Lucien Garban, emerges in splendidly atmospheric form, and Bolcom's Rag has loose-limbed grace.
November 2015
Fleischer and Jacobsen truly sing at the keyboard. What genial phrasing, supple balances and effortless ensemble unanimity they achieve, and without getting overly loud when textures become thick, as even the most experienced duet practitioners tend to do.
6th September 2015
Can there be a more perfect work for four hands than Schubert’s Fantasia in F Minor? The beauty, logic and lyricism of its four interconnecting movements never fail to move and amaze, particularly when played by pianists of the stature of Leon Fleisher and his wife, Katherine Jacobson. Their reading is quite the equal of Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia’s celebrated 1985 recording.
