Part 2 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal (1994). Excerpts on András Schiff.
Chapter 40: Andras Schiff Visits East Ninety-Fourth Street
Previously Horowitz heard Schiff’s playing on the radio, became interested and wanted to meet Schiff so he asked Dubal to arrange a meeting at Horowitz place in New York.
“….Upon his arrival in New York, I called to say that Horowitz preferred Tuesday, March 8, 1988. Schiff readily agreed: “Whenever he wants.”
“En route to pick up Schiff, I wondered if Horowitz would like him. Perhaps bringing younger pianists into his life was a mistake. Would Andras show the proper respect?”
Dubal picked up Schiff at his West End Avenue apartment and told him that Horowitz was aware of the interview he made.
Schiff gulped. “We’ll get past that, I hope.” Andras was dressed casually but carefully. He had on a tie and looked his “normal” self.
Dubal deposited Schiff in Wanda’s chair “…which would enable Horowitz to hear him better. The Maestro was a little hard of hearing in the left ear, although he would not admit it. Schiff appeared calm and comfortable and was looking forward to the encounter… Schiff quickly stood to greet Horowitz, who gave him a long, dazzling smile and welcoming handshake. Schiff seemed instantly at ease with Horowitz; I was certain Andras felt the unmistakable aura of Horowitz’s presence….”
They discussed and complimented each other. H. interviews Schiff on his upbringing in Hungary, whom he studied with etc. and asked Schiff where he has just been playing. Schiff answered: In Princeton, the Hammerklavier.
“….Horowitz cried Oh, no! What do you want to do, kill the audience? Schiff sweetly argued that Princeton’s audience was sophisticated, capable of appreciating Beethoven’s Op. 106, and that he was playing the Hammerklavier everywhere this season…”
Then they talked about Bach and Horowitz asked if Schiff cared to play for him. Schiff answered “No, I’d rather not. Mr Horowitz. At least, not tonight”.
Dubal wrote that, to his regrets, he had to go see Wanda in another room. She asked how the meeting went. He said H. liked Schiff. When he got back he found them talking comfortably, testing out their Russian on one another. Then they talked about Horowitz recordings whereby Schiff showed great knowledge of Horowitz discography.
The evening ended around midnight. Dubal and Schiff walked back together. Schiff said he was amazed at Horowitz interpretation of Mozart A Major Concerto, saying he didn’t agree with it but the magnetism of Horowitz’s playing was overwhelming.
>> Stay tuned for next chapter..”Five Hundred Dollar Bet” in which Horowitz and Dubal had a wager on Schiff.
SW
Part 2 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal (1994). Excerpts on András Schiff.
Chapter 40: Andras Schiff Visits East Ninety-Fourth Street
Previously Horowitz heard Schiff’s playing on the radio, became interested and wanted to meet Schiff so he asked Dubal to arrange a meeting at Horowitz place in New York.
“….Upon his arrival in New York, I called to say that Horowitz preferred Tuesday, March 8, 1988. Schiff readily agreed: “Whenever he wants.”
“En route to pick up Schiff, I wondered if Horowitz would like him. Perhaps bringing younger pianists into his life was a mistake. Would Andras show the proper respect?”
Dubal picked up Schiff at his West End Avenue apartment and told him that Horowitz was aware of the interview he made.
Schiff gulped. “We’ll get past that, I hope.” Andras was dressed casually but carefully. He had on a tie and looked his “normal” self.
Dubal deposited Schiff in Wanda’s chair “…which would enable Horowitz to hear him better. The Maestro was a little hard of hearing in the left ear, although he would not admit it. Schiff appeared calm and comfortable and was looking forward to the encounter… Schiff quickly stood to greet Horowitz, who gave him a long, dazzling smile and welcoming handshake. Schiff seemed instantly at ease with Horowitz; I was certain Andras felt the unmistakable aura of Horowitz’s presence….”
They discussed and complimented each other. H. interviews Schiff on his upbringing in Hungary, whom he studied with etc. and asked Schiff where he has just been playing. Schiff answered: In Princeton, the Hammerklavier.
“….Horowitz cried Oh, no! What do you want to do, kill the audience? Schiff sweetly argued that Princeton’s audience was sophisticated, capable of appreciating Beethoven’s Op. 106, and that he was playing the Hammerklavier everywhere this season…”
Then they talked about Bach and Horowitz asked if Schiff cared to play for him. Schiff answered “No, I’d rather not. Mr Horowitz. At least, not tonight”.
Dubal wrote that, to his regrets, he had to go see Wanda in another room. She asked how the meeting went. He said H. liked Schiff. When he got back he found them talking comfortably, testing out their Russian on one another. Then they talked about Horowitz recordings whereby Schiff showed great knowledge of Horowitz discography.
The evening ended around midnight. Dubal and Schiff walked back together. Schiff said he was amazed at Horowitz interpretation of Mozart A Major Concerto, saying he didn’t agree with it but the magnetism of Horowitz’s playing was overwhelming.
>> Stay tuned for next chapter..”Five Hundred Dollar Bet” in which Horowitz and Dubal had a wager on Schiff.
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