The Left Hand Connection
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Paul Wittgenstein commissioned a series of works for orchestra and left-handed pianist from leading composers of the 20th century.
Paul Wittgenstein was an Austrian-born concert pianist who became famous for his ability to play with just his left hand, after losing his right arm during the First World War. He devised unusual pedal and hand-movement techniques that allowed him to perform in ways previously regarded as impossible for a one-handed artist.
But Wittgenstein’s greatest accomplishment was to commission a series of works for orchestra and left-handed pianist by Richard Strauss, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Prokofiev, Maurice Ravel and Benjamin Britten.
In this hour, the pianist’s incredible story, and selections from some of the works written for him.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
| Title |
Group/Artist |
Catalog # |
UPC |
| Scriabin Preludes Vol. 1 |
Evgeny Zarafiants |
Naxos 8.55399 |
0730099499729 |
| Korngold Orchestral Works Vol. 2 |
Stephen De Groote, the Northwest German Philharmonic, Werner Albert cond. |
CPO 999150 |
0761203904624 |
| Strauss Orchestral Works |
Peter Rosel, Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe cond. |
Brilliant Classics 7591/2 |
842977075915 |
| Saint-Saens Complete Etudes |
Piers Lane |
Hyperion CDA67037 |
034571170374 |
| Ravel Conducts Ravel |
Paul Wittgenstein, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam; Bruno Walter cond. |
Urania URN 22.341 |
8025726223412 |
| Ravel/Prokofiev/Britten |
(Fleisher/Ozawa) |
Sony SK 47188 |
074644718829 |
4:00 p.m.
Ravel
Concerto for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra No. 4: Concerto for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra No. 4: IV. Vivace
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:02 p.m.
Scriabin
Prelude for the Left Hand in C sharp minor
Evgeny Zarafiants Evgeny Zarafiants
4:06 p.m.
Korngold
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Northwest German Philharmonic; Werner Albert, conductor Stephen De Groote
4:17 p.m.
Strauss
Symphonic Etude in the Form of a Passacaglia for Piano and Orchestra
Staatskapelle Dresden; Rudolf Kempe, conductor
4:26 p.m.
Strauss
Parergon on the Sinfonia Domestica
Staatskapelle Dresden; Rudolf Kempe, conductor
4:28 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Variation VI. Nocturne. Andante piacevole"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:29 p.m.
Saint-Saens
Six Etudes pour la main gauche seule Op 135: No. 1 Prelude: Allegretto moderato
Piers Lane Piers Lane
4:32 p.m.
Ravel
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
"Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam"; Bruno Walter, conductor Paul Wittgenstein
4:42 p.m.
Ravel
Concerto for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra No. 4: Concerto for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra No. 4: IV. Vivace
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:45 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Variation III. March. Allegro con brio"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:48 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Variation IV. Arabesque. Allegretto"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:50 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Variation V. Chant. Andante solennemente"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:52 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Variation VI. Nocturne. Andante piacevole"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
4:56 p.m.
Britten
"Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, Op. 21: Finale - Tarantella. Presto con fuoco"
Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor Leon Fleisher
