Menahem would have been 100 today
RIPFriends and colleagues are heading today to Magdeburg to mark the 100th birthday of Menahem Pressler, who died in May this year.
The town where he was born (and which he fled in 1939) is putting on a Centenary Concert in his honour, given by the Magdeburg Philharmonic and conductor Anna Skryleva with Menahem’s student and doctoral assistant Ilya Friedberg playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto K488.
Lord, how we miss him.
He was an irrepressible force of nature as well as being a mighty fine pianist. Indeed, much missed.
Reflecting today with good memories of Menahem. He represented the era of European sensibilities in music and had wisdoms to share. Rest in peace, dear friend. We are thinking of you now and always.
It was a truly fitting occasion for the cherished son of Magdeburg with very moving speeches by the Mayor of Magdeburg, Simone Borris, the State Minister for Culture Rainer Robra, and Bettina Pesch, the Intendant of the Theatre. Surrounded by so many friends and colleagues and after a surprise video message from Daniel Hope in the USA, we had a wonderful concert and sat in the Rossini Cafe eating his favourite food, remembering our beloved Menahem until the early hours and beyond. He would have loved it!
I recently re-watched his New Years Eve 2014 performance of Mozart K. 488 with Sir Simon and the Berlin Phil. The ease of his playing was a thing to behold as was the warmth and sheer delight you could see on the faces of conductor and musicians; a real treasure.
It has been a magical day, walking down the footprints of Menahem Pressler. Doing all the things he most enjoyed, having his friends alongside him, enjoying something very delicious to eat, a nice cup of coffee. The most precious was always music. I am so grateful to be able to play with his colleagues this marvelous concerto for an extra ordinary people in the audience. I am sending a big hug to all who knew him and love him, I felt your presence there with us on that day.
Always love you Menahem Pressler