Leon Fleisher was an American classical pianist, conductor, and music educator who became one of the most prominent figures in classical music in the 20th century. Born on July 23, 1928, in San Francisco, Fleisher displayed prodigious talent from a young age. He began studying the piano at the age of four, and at sixteen, he debuted with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Pierre Monteux, who famously described him as the "pianistic find of the century."

Fleisher's early career was marked by a meteoric rise to fame as he toured internationally and recorded extensively, especially noted for his interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms. However, at the height of his career, Fleisher was struck with a neurological condition known as focal dystonia, which affected his right hand, forcing him to focus on repertoire for the left hand for many years. Despite this setback, his artistry remained undiminished, and he ultimately made a triumphant return to performing with both hands after treatments in the 1990s. Fleisher also had a significant impact as a teacher, holding positions at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, among other institutions. Across a career that spanned over six decades, Fleisher's enduring contributions to music were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007. He continued to perform and record, and his live albums, such as "Leon Fleisher Live", series, "Four Hands", and his work on classical orchestral pieces by Mozart, Debussy, and Beethoven, are a testament to his profound musical influence. Fleisher passed away on August 2, 2020, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated by both recordings and the many pianists he mentored.

Genres

American Classical Piano

Classical Piano

Latest Release

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 & Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3 (Live)

Ludwig van Beethoven•

Leon Fleisher

Album - 8 Tracks - Released March 1, 2024