This letter appeared in the Guardian Weekly (Dec.2-8, 2011)
----- Original Message -----
From: Leslie Dreyer
To: Leslie Dreyer
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 4:57 PM
Subject: Fw: "Anniversary Brings a Liszt Epiphany by Tom Service (04.11.11)
----- Original Message -----
From: Leslie Dreyer
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 10:31 AM
Subject: "Anniversary Brings a Liszt Epiphany by Tom Service (04.11.11)
There isn't a pianist on this planet who has not complained of the fiendishly difficult passages in Liszt's compositions. Yet the excuse of many young concert pianists for omitting Liszt from their repertoire, because their hands are too small to negotiate the numerous octaves and tenths, is a lame one at best. An example of a pianist who, with intensive practice and keyboard exercises managed to overcome this problem, is the legendary Ruth Slenczynska. One need only to hear her early recording of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody in A minor to confirm what Olin Downes wrote about her as a protege---"the greatest musical talent since Mozart."
Les Dreyer
(Retired violinist of the Met Opera orchestra)
(917) 670-6865
180 West End Ave.
NYC 10023 U.S.A.
