Todd Piano Works

The last living pupil of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov just celebrated her 100th birthday!

Ruth Slenczynska is celebrating her 100th birthday today. The American pianist has the distinction of having had lessons with a truly unique combination of legendary pianists: Josef Hofmann, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alfred Cortot, Artur Schnabel, and Egon Petri.

Her challenging years as a child prodigy driven by her father are a well-known story, and fortunately her love of piano and teaching triumphed and she has had a very long career an active performer, recording artist, and teacher.

A year and a half ago when she was a mere 98 and a half years old, I filmed an hour-long conversation with the pianist in which I asked her to share her experience with all five of her legendary teachers; in other interviews she had talked extensively about Hofmann and Rachmaninoff, but not so much about her time with Petri, Cortot, and Schnabel. We spent an illuminating hour discussing her experience meeting these amazing artists and what she learned from them. … and there are a couple of jaw-dropping insights (including how Rachmaninoff taught her to produce a big sound) if you listen attentively!

I have linked that interview plus a number of other clips on a tribute page on my website: there's film footage of her as a very young child, a wonderful 1950s recording, a few interviews (including mine), and some more recent recordings, including from her latest album produced when she was 97. You can find that tribute page in the comments thread.

Many happy returns, Ms. Slenczynska!

Happy Independence Day!!

Today was national piano day. Just about everyday is piano day in my world.