What a wonderful interview from such a lovely and kind lady. These stories are priceless for us that love and play the piano. I can't imagine taking lessons from Hofmann and Rachmaninoff and to be lifelong friends with Bolet, Barber, and Cherkassky. WOW!!
How absolutely fantastic and wonderful that this interview is on the Internet. I was transfixed by this amazing lady's story. Her talent and her modesty, her memory and her generosity of spirit shine from her like a beacon. A historic document
What a fabulous interview! I read your book many years ago, but at age 85, I need to find your book and read it again. What stories you tell about a period when I grew up. You are an amazing woman and yet, so humble! That is the sign of genius!
Not only a genius of piano playing in the first order but so humble and self effacing. And how amazing to hear her describe how the ethereally beautiful Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barbers begun!
This really made my day. So fascinating to hear her recalling her early experiences. And wow, to have been a pupil of none other than Josef Hofmann! Incredible!
Not in any way a typical Hofmann pupil. Her touch and nuance very limited. Rather listen to William Harms, Shura Cherkassky, Jeanne Behrendt, Abram Chasins for the " real approach "
What an absolutely FANTASTIC interview!!! Thank you so much for sharing it. What a wonderful testament to her rich legacy, to go along with the absolutely superb release Eloquence made of her recordings - I listened to the entire set in a single day and it was glorious!
I believe that Hofmann had an association with some families in Aiken , SC where I spent much of my misspent youth. This was in the 30s and 40s I think. Great interview!
Charming and enlightening recollections. Especially when Rachmaninoff told the child Sleczynska that he practiced 17 hours a day at times so as to hopefully gain a technique that could compare with that of Josef Hofmann. Three hours has always been the absolute limit for my powers of concentration, and even that is only if I've slept well the night before.
Just imagine making a little child of 5 practice 9 hours a day! 😟 How cruel! It’s just wonderful to hear this great lady speak with such directness, such unaffectedness. ♥️
Yes. It makes me feel ill. Spoils my appreciation of her playing perhaps. My mind reels. It's like looking at some great piece of architecture and someone saying, 'The money for it came from slavery'.
For more Hoffman, read his fine book, "Piano Playing with Questions Answered," and for more Ruth, read her fine book "Music at your Fingertips." There is no way around working (correctly, efficiently), for some 17 hours a day. You will at least become "your Hoffman", "your Rachmaninoff." If all I can be is a diet, caffeine free, zero sugar in a short can version of Horowitz, I'll take it!
This interview is new to me, and what a treasure it is. Are there other interviews with Slenczynska? Her life is filled with experiences with Hofmann, Rachmaninoff, Cortot, Lhevinne, and virtually every major pianist and music figure of the 20th Century. I hope her recollections are preserved on film somewhere. Such memories must be recorded for posterity.
This is an amazing interview! One technical question. She describes her studies at Curtis, when she was only 5-6 years old, which is 1930-1931. But the story about Barber’s Adagio for Strings must be from a later time as Barber wrote the string quartet in 1936 and sent an orchestrated version of the Adagio to Toscanini in 1938. Did she come back to Curtis later?
That picture is usually stated as being Hofmann and his son Anton not as stated here Ms. Slenczynska .It's amazing that this always well known and recorded pianist is still with us (and she knew everyone like Gary Graffman back in the thirties as a child )the only student I've ever heard of that Rachmaninoff took on (Abram Chasins had a few lessons prob because Hofmann (Rach's great friend ) gave so much to Chasins .)
It would be wonderful if someone would play for her the recently discovered non-commercial recording of Rachmaninoff playing his Symphonic Dances for Eugene Ormandy, and then record her reactions to it. Her comments would be as valuable as the recording itself.
I love her interviews. What a dear lady, modest, humble, generous, and full of wonderful stories from her extraordinary life!
This women is s delight,and im sure a great artist.and you can tell a very nice lady..
What a wonderful interview from such a lovely and kind lady. These stories are priceless for us that love and play the piano. I can't imagine taking lessons from Hofmann and Rachmaninoff and to be lifelong friends with Bolet, Barber, and Cherkassky. WOW!!
My teacher for my master's degree. Can't describe how much we all learned from her!
Wow, I envy you!
Congratulations! What for a unique chance! And your teacher is still active!
You are sooooo Lucky!
I could listen to Ruth Slenczynska for hours. What a fascinating person. Eloquence box set on order.
She’s a wonderful woman. I’ve known her for 35+ years. One of the kindest, hardest working women in the world. Fascinating as well.
@@KD9ZHF I have her autograph on her Chopin
Wonderful! Thanks so much!
How absolutely fantastic and wonderful that this interview is on the Internet. I was transfixed by this amazing lady's story. Her talent and her modesty, her memory and her generosity of spirit shine from her like a beacon. A historic document
What a humble and optimistic this little keyboard titan is!! I always adore Ruth. May she live a long and healthy life so that she can produce more recordings and interviews for us and our children to enjoy and learn from.
What a fabulous interview! I read your book many years ago, but at age 85, I need to find your book and read it again.
What stories you tell about a period when I grew up. You are an amazing woman and yet, so humble! That is the sign of genius!
When was this interview taken? A real gem
A most delightful lady indeed!
Not only a genius of piano playing in the first order but so humble and self effacing.
And how amazing to hear her describe how the ethereally beautiful Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barbers begun!
Father was a terrible tyrant. Forcing a 4 year-old to practice 9 hours a day! That's child abuse!
What a humble, deep and beautiful soul with a big 'ole heart.
Made me almost cry. Being at the heart of it all, except the painful bits is just unbelievable.
This really made my day. So fascinating to hear her recalling her early experiences. And wow, to have been a pupil of none other than Josef Hofmann! Incredible!
Not in any way a typical Hofmann pupil. Her touch and nuance very limited. Rather listen to William Harms, Shura Cherkassky, Jeanne Behrendt, Abram Chasins for the " real approach "
And to think I have her autograph on her Frederic Chopin album
Such a beautiful human being, fantastic pianist, wonderful story teller ! Mostly sweetest women I ever seen!
What an absolutely FANTASTIC interview!!! Thank you so much for sharing it. What a wonderful testament to her rich legacy, to go along with the absolutely superb release Eloquence made of her recordings - I listened to the entire set in a single day and it was glorious!
I believe that Hofmann had an association with some families in Aiken , SC where I spent much of my misspent youth. This was in the 30s and 40s I think. Great interview!
Charming and enlightening recollections. Especially when Rachmaninoff told the child Sleczynska that he practiced 17 hours a day at times so as to hopefully gain a technique that could compare with that of Josef Hofmann. Three hours has always been the absolute limit for my powers of concentration, and even that is only if I've slept well the night before.
15 hours, not 17
Wonderful Lady. Storyteller & Artist
Thank you for making this available! What a fantastic interview and a witness to history!!
Wow! What a beautiful talk from Ruth! She is such a beautiful person and a real legend. Good bless her. I thoroughly enjoyed this video!
Great pianist. I can listen to her music over and over again.
A Beautiful soul.
What fantastic memories. Beautifully told.
Sublime human being!
Incredible interview. What a treasure...
Just imagine making a little child of 5 practice 9 hours a day! 😟 How cruel! It’s just wonderful to hear this great lady speak with such directness, such unaffectedness. ♥️
Yes. It makes me feel ill. Spoils my appreciation of her playing perhaps. My mind reels. It's like looking at some great piece of architecture and someone saying, 'The money for it came from slavery'.
A witness to musical history. Fascinating.
What an absolutely charming lady!
For more Hoffman, read his fine book, "Piano Playing with Questions Answered," and for more Ruth, read her fine book "Music at your Fingertips."
There is no way around working (correctly, efficiently), for some 17 hours a day. You will at least become "your Hoffman", "your Rachmaninoff." If all I can be is a diet, caffeine free, zero sugar in a short can version of Horowitz, I'll take it!
What a beautiful interview and amazing to be able to hear her memories.
She’s super relatable as a pianist. Love this.
this lady is a precious jewel !!!!!
This interview is new to me, and what a treasure it is. Are there other interviews with Slenczynska? Her life is filled with experiences with Hofmann, Rachmaninoff, Cortot, Lhevinne, and virtually every major pianist and music figure of the 20th Century. I hope her recollections are preserved on film somewhere. Such memories must be recorded for posterity.
Absolutely fascinating to hear her story
What a lovely lady.
Sublime artista!! Gracias!!
This is an amazing interview! One technical question. She describes her studies at Curtis, when she was only 5-6 years old, which is 1930-1931. But the story about Barber’s Adagio for Strings must be from a later time as Barber wrote the string quartet in 1936 and sent an orchestrated version of the Adagio to Toscanini in 1938. Did she come back to Curtis later?
That picture is usually stated as being Hofmann and his son Anton not as stated here Ms. Slenczynska .It's amazing that this always well known and recorded pianist is still with us (and she knew everyone like Gary Graffman back in the thirties as a child )the only student I've ever heard of that Rachmaninoff took on (Abram Chasins had a few lessons prob because Hofmann (Rach's great friend ) gave so much to Chasins .)
O.K. it might be Anton. I had a friend who knew "Tony" Hofmann at one time.
It would be wonderful if someone would play for her the recently discovered non-commercial recording of Rachmaninoff playing his Symphonic Dances for Eugene Ormandy, and then record her reactions to it. Her comments would be as valuable as the recording itself.
She wrote a book, " Forbidden Childhood "
I wish I could lay my hands on this book
7i had a chance to borrow avinyl record of Ruth fromfThomas Jefferson Library in Manila that was in the .1970s
Thank you for posting this. By the way, that's Hofmann with his son Peter at the beginning, not Slenczynska.
She speaks like a child. A child prodigy.
when was this interview made?
Thanks !
Does anyone know if the pieces on her latest recording were made for the CD or are they older recordings?
Her new recording with Decca 'My Life in Music' features all new recordings
…..to be considered Singular among Titans……
How lovely!
Curious she played the Baldwin.....
Happy Girl - Rachmaninoff, Goffman...
A beautiful soul.