9 October - Leslie Howard

We were invited to John’s birthday party last Saturday and had the great honour to meet the pianist Leslie Howard.  He is well known as a Liszt specialist who has recorded Liszt’s complete works for solo piano (97 CDs in all!).

Oh my gosh….at the party he casually sat in front of John’s Kawai grand, and played so many pieces by memory.  First off, he played Jack Fina’s Bumble Boogie, arranged by Louis Busch.  This wasn’t by heart, Dave had brought the score along to the party and Leslie just sight read this complicated music, playing it instantaneously.  I mean, this is music he had never seen nor played, and we’re not talking about simple music.  It looked mighty difficult to me – I wouldn’t be able to play even one hand!

Then after that, he went on and on… Pieces from Carmen, Scriabin Nocturne for left hand, Bach Chaconne arranged for left hand by Brahms, Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, and so on….  Leslie played my beloved Hungarian Rhapsody ever so beautifully, saying, “I haven’t played this piece for 10 years!”  He played the left hand pieces with a glass of red wine in his right hand!!  Needless to say, I had a fabulous evening.  An incredible pianist with incredible memory and technique.  John had often told me that Leslie was a true genius, and now I totally understand what he means.  I wanted to stay longer…..Thank you John for inviting us!  We’ll come to celebrate next year too!