I’m off to Germany today for a weekend of piano workshops, so thought it appropriate for my Friday post to feature this master class given by the late American pianist, conductor and master teacher Leon Fleisher. It was recorded at the Music Academy of the West’s Summer Festival.

After becoming the first American to win the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition in Brussels in 1952, Leon Fleisher enjoyed a glittering concert career, despite suffering a debilitating condition of his right hand, later diagnosed as focal dystonia, a neurological condition that causes the fingers to curl into the palm of the hand.  I hope you enjoy it.

Publications

Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.

For more information, please visit the publications page, here.