The veteran pianist and instructor Russell Sherman has died at 93.
Deciding he had ‘nothing new or personal to say at the piano’, he taught for more than half a century at New England Conservatory. Late in life he recorded the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas.
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This was a musician of formidable intelligence, keen individuality, and a zestful, brilliant humor. His repertoire was vast, and I can recall his giving unforgettable performances of works by Liszt (the Transcendental Etudes) and Roger Sessions (Sonatas), among many others. He was a champion of new music and young musicians, an endearing soul, and one of the most engaging keyboard artists of our time. He will be sorely missed. RIP dear Russell.
Mr. Sherman made his Carnegie hall recital debut in his early teens, and performed Brahms 1st Concerto with Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic in 1959, after which he retreated from the public until 1975, when he made a dramatic return in New York with a recital including Liszt 12 Transcendental etudes. He then performed widely in America for many years, performing with all the major American orchestras.
Russell Sherman’s students included, most notably, Marc-Andre Hamelin. Sherman was also a wonderful and creative pianist.
Truly saddened to find news of Russell Sherman’s passing. In an era of hyper globalism, his unique style and sound shines ever brighter. He was a formidable pianist and musician and I shall be playing his phenomenal LvB 32 in his memory. That set deserves far wider recognition and admiration. Rest in peace.
His recording of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes (also including the “Dante Sonata” and Les Jeux d’Eaux a la
Villa d’Este – on Vanguard two-LP set SRV 354/55 SD) is
an overwhelming display of virtuosity and a sound spectacular!
On the Arte Nova label : a very fine performance (1995) of Bartoks third concerto with Sherman and Michael Gielen conducting the SWF Symphony.
Sherman was legendary at the New England Conservatory. I auditioned for him when I was admitted to the prep program back in 1977. I remember him telling my parents that I showed great promise for a concert career, but he was going to put me with an orthopedic teacher to fix my free-form fingering. I remember auditioning with a Chopin Waltz which to my ear went very well. His teacher then led me to endless Czerny scales, as well as Haydn sonatas and Chopin preludes. In the end, I gave it up for athletics. When I appraised Gunther Schuller’s archive back in 2016, it was readily apparent from the letters that Sherman was not only a muck raker during Schuller’s time as President of NYC, but also a dear friend. He at one time out of frustration resigned and Schuller kept the resignation letter in a special folder. He came back not long afterwards. His recordings of the Beethoven piano sonatas on Schullers own GM label are desert island recordings if you can find them. Perhaps eBay is a good place to look. I seriously recommend them!
He had real integrity.