Part 3 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal. Excerpts on András Schiff. Chapter 41: Five Hundred Dollar Bet “…A week later, on my next visit to the Horowitzes, we spoke of our evening with Schiff…”
Dubal wrote Horowitz thought Schiff looked good but talk in an exaggerated manner. Horowitz then imitated Schiff way of speaking. Dubal wrote that H. did amazing imitations of people, slightly malicious but always funny. Dubal came to Schiff’s defense. “…I said, ‘I think that is his way of expressing himself in English but it’s not an affectation’. Horowitz said, ‘I know! But Mr.Dubal, why is it that I invite him to my home and he doesn’t send me a thank-you note? Maybe he didn’t have a good time.’..”
Dubal protested that Schiff enjoyed the visit and raved about the Maestro playing of Mozart concerto. But Horowitz was still perplex as to why Schiff didn’t send a note.
Dubal explained to them that Schiff, like any young people, could be too busy and informal. “….Wanda insisted, ‘He won’t send a thank-you note, I guarantee you.”
H. joined in, insisted that Schiff would never send a letter to him. They bet 50 dollars on it but Dubal upped the wager to 500.
Dubal called Schiff but he left New York already. So he called his PR. She said that Schiff was going to and she would remind him. A week later, Dubal met the Horowitz who appeared to be in a very pleasant mood.
Horowitz said he loved 3 things in life… beautiful perfumes, money (because it means freedom to him, Dubal noted) and H. thought everyone should guess the third one right, music.
Dubal asked ‘But what about Mrs. Horowitz? Don’t you love her?’ which Wanda shot back ‘he doesn’t love me. He needs me’. Horowitz: “”I was not speaking of people”. Wanda said sweetly “I forgive you, Volodya”.
At dinner, H. pulled out a letter from his pocket. “…Mr.Dubal, you won our bet. This is a letter from Schiff. You were right. He is a good man”
Then Horowitz read what Schiff wrote to him. H. was content and put the letter carefully back in his pocket. He took out his wallet and brought out a 5 dollar bill. Dubal protested the bet was for 500!
“… Horowitz smiled widely, ‘You must have heard it wrong. I don’t have such money. Take the five’…”
*********
Notes: - Pictures of Horowitz and Schiff in 1980s when they met. Sadly as Dubal reported, this occasion in 1988 was the only time they ever met. Horowitz passed away in 1989. - I hope you enjoy these excerpts from the book. Horowitz though, what a personality!
SW
Part 3 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal. Excerpts on András Schiff. Chapter 41: Five Hundred Dollar Bet
“…A week later, on my next visit to the Horowitzes, we spoke of our evening with Schiff…”
Dubal wrote Horowitz thought Schiff looked good but talk in an exaggerated manner. Horowitz then imitated Schiff way of speaking. Dubal wrote that H. did amazing imitations of people, slightly malicious but always funny. Dubal came to Schiff’s defense. “…I said, ‘I think that is his way of expressing himself in English but it’s not an affectation’. Horowitz said, ‘I know! But Mr.Dubal, why is it that I invite him to my home and he doesn’t send me a thank-you note? Maybe he didn’t have a good time.’..”
Dubal protested that Schiff enjoyed the visit and raved about the Maestro playing of Mozart concerto. But Horowitz was still perplex as to why Schiff didn’t send a note.
Dubal explained to them that Schiff, like any young people, could be too busy and informal. “….Wanda insisted, ‘He won’t send a thank-you note, I guarantee you.”
H. joined in, insisted that Schiff would never send a letter to him. They bet 50 dollars on it but Dubal upped the wager to 500.
Dubal called Schiff but he left New York already. So he called his PR. She said that Schiff was going to and she would remind him. A week later, Dubal met the Horowitz who appeared to be in a very pleasant mood.
Horowitz said he loved 3 things in life… beautiful perfumes, money (because it means freedom to him, Dubal noted) and H. thought everyone should guess the third one right, music.
Dubal asked ‘But what about Mrs. Horowitz? Don’t you love her?’ which Wanda shot back ‘he doesn’t love me. He needs me’. Horowitz: “”I was not speaking of people”. Wanda said sweetly “I forgive you, Volodya”.
At dinner, H. pulled out a letter from his pocket. “…Mr.Dubal, you won our bet. This is a letter from Schiff. You were right. He is a good man”
Then Horowitz read what Schiff wrote to him. H. was content and put the letter carefully back in his pocket. He took out his wallet and brought out a 5 dollar bill. Dubal protested the bet was for 500!
“… Horowitz smiled widely, ‘You must have heard it wrong. I don’t have such money. Take the five’…”
*********
Notes:
- Pictures of Horowitz and Schiff in 1980s when they met. Sadly as Dubal reported, this occasion in 1988 was the only time they ever met. Horowitz passed away in 1989.
- I hope you enjoy these excerpts from the book. Horowitz though, what a personality!
3 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 65