Classical Music

At 90, SF Piano Great Leon Fleisher Continues to Inspire

By Elijah Ho
Jul 23, 2018

In a recent conversation with the Russian pianist Nikolai Demidenko, the subject turned to Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, a work recorded by virtually every pianist of renown, dead or alive. I raved about the electrifying recordings of William Kapell and Dimitri Mitropoulos, Vladimir Horowitz and Arturo Toscanini. Demidenko dismissed them all.

“The benchmark for me is [Leon] Fleisher’s recording with [George] Szell,” he said with a calm, serious tone in his voice, referring to the preeminent San Francisco-born pianist's collaboration with the late conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. “Fleisher’s recording is unsurpassed. What an agile, brilliant mind. And what a very interesting man. I have great respect for him.”

Leon Fleisher is ninety years old today. One of the most refined and transcendent musicians the United States has ever produced, he continues to inspire generations of musicians as a teacher, mentor and performer.

Brahms / Leon Fleisher, 1958: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 - G Szell
25,560 views•Apr 23, 2014

davidhertzberg
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In this 1958 recording, thirty year old American pianist Leon Fleisher performs the Brahms' first piano concerto, Op. 15. George Szell leads the Cleveland Orchestra. Digitized from the LP shown above, released on the EPIC label in 1959, catalogue number LC 3484.

Maestoso (0:19)
Adagio (21:37)
Rondo (Allegro non troppo) (36:20)

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