Happy birthday Menahem Pressler, 98 today

Happy birthday Menahem Pressler, 98 today

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norman lebrecht

December 16, 2021

Pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio for half a century and then an international soloist, Menahem is an inspiration to us all.

Comments

  • E says:

    Lovely! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAESTRO, and thank you for the
    hours of music shared!

  • ad mea v’esrim in the best of everything, health, happiness, family and continued successes. x0x0

  • Sam's Hot Car Lot says:

    Norman, I recall you had a great discussion with him in Ottawa roughly a decade ago.

  • Walter Winterfeldt says:

    A most Happy Birthday dear Maestro ! So many great memories of your concerts.

  • David K. Nelson says:

    More accurately, N.L., Pressler’s career was in (at least) three stages not just two. He was a soloist first. Don’t forget all those solo, concerto, and chamber music recordings he made for MGM Records BEFORE there was a Beaux Arts Trio. There was standard repertoire such as Debussy but also some really rare stuff. (I wish my Pressler/MGM LPs were in better shape, and I wish there were more of them. I’ve never seen his MGM 78s but there were some.)

    • Joel Kemelhor says:

      Unaware it was Mr. Pressler’s birthday this week, I had been listening to his LP recording (on the Monitor label) of Mendelssohn’s 1st piano concerto, with Swarowsky conducting. A performance full of life.

  • Olivann R Hobbie says:

    Dear Manahem, Warmest birthday wishes from Cape Cod! You have lived a rich life, and shared your gift and love for music to enrich the lives of all of us who love and admire you.
    John and Olivann Hobbie

  • Ronald Vogel says:

    Mr. Pressler was and will forever be my teacher.

  • Frank Flambeau says:

    It is the first and only time I have seen a soloist playing from written music.

  • R. Brite says:

    Belated mazel tov, Maestro, from a big fan in Paris to whom your music has given much joy for many years.

  • Louise Salant says:

    Happy birthday and wonderful to see your smiling face. I treasure all the love and inspiration you have shared.
    With gratitude,
    Louise

  • Rudy says:

    I think very few people expected the incredible beauty and quality of his last performances and recordings…
    His DGG violín/piano CD (available in Japan) is beyond incredible.
    I am still waiting for his Schumann CD with Matthias Goerner…..

  • WP says:

    May I tell an amusing anecdote?About 40 years ago, I attended a Beaux Arts concert in Calgary, one of 20 concerts in a 21 day span! (The two previous evenings they were in Sacramento and Boston – these were men in their late 50’s and 60’s!). At the reception, I couldn’t help but overhear Mr Pressler say “You know on that empty day, I think I can get us a concert!” Mr Cohen rolled his eyes and Mr Greenhouse shook his head disapprovingly… (it is no secret that those two did not get along on a personal level). Mr Pressler didn’t miss their reaction and responded with (in that inimitable voice)” It’s a free evening, why shouldn’t we play??”
    And he exhibited this kind of energy in everything he did. I used to wonder…. Will he burn out one if these days, or will he keep going into late old age?
    Now we know:-))

  • Mrs Brown. says:

    So much musical history in those years. Thank you sir, for the joy your playing has brought to the musical cognoscenti.

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