Video: Playing a perfect Mozart sonata on his 100th birthday

Video: Playing a perfect Mozart sonata on his 100th birthday

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norman lebrecht

July 13, 2015

Randolph Hokanson, a Seattle-based soloist who studied with Harold Samuel and played concertos with Sir Thomas Beecham, turned 100 the other day.

At his party, he introduced and played the late Mozart G major sonata with concertmaster Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi.

Watch. It will restore your faith in … everything.

Randolph Hokanson

Comments

  • MacroV says:

    Randolph Hokanson was (and apparently still is) a terrific pianist. Maybe not a star but a really fine musician who was the rock of the University of Washington piano program for 35 years. And he looks amazing for 100.

    • Eamonn Morris says:

      I have never heard this kind of playing from a 100 year old! I remember seeing what decline did to Oscar Peterson, though there were probably health issues there too. I know Horowitz was great into old age too. However I think this performance is absolutely great and uplifting! A real tribute to the human spirit.

  • Malcolm Kottler says:

    You can buy Randolph Hokanson’s autobiography–With Head to the Music Bent, a Musician’s Story–from the University of Washington Bookstore. The price is $15 + shipping.

    Here is the link to place an order:

    http://www4.bookstore.washington.edu/_trade/SearchUBS2.taf?_function=list&_searchsrc=external&_start=1

  • David Waterhouse says:

    In 1965 I took piano lessons from Prof. Hokanson at the University of Washington, and I heard him play in public on more than one occasion. His extensive repertoire ranged from Mozart to Brahms to John Cage. I was delighted to listen to this birthday performance, and I congratulate both him and Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi. She herself is a former pupil of Jascha Heifetz.

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