SW

Part 1 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal (1994). Excerpts on András Schiff. Dubal is a acclaimed pianist, writer and broadcaster.

Chapter: Composers Come First
“…..As Horowitz dropped onto the couch, he reported, “Today, I heard Schiff on the radio. Maybe it was your station. It was the Mozart Sonata in A minor. The slow movement was too slow, but nice sound. If he comes to New York, maybe I will see him. Horowitz picked up my book and scrutinized Schiff’s photograph. “A nice face. Maybe a little pretty, like his playing. But tell me, is he neurotic? You and me, we are neurotic. In fact, I am normal compared to you. Oh, yes I am.”
“Well, Mr. Horowitz, Schiff is not nearly as neurotic as we are. I think he is probably very settled. He seems quite balanced to me.” 
“Is he married?”
“I believe he just recently married a Japanese violinist”
“Oh, that’s bad. Now he will be forced to accompany her.” 
“That I don’t know, Maestro. But I do know Schiff is going to be in New York very soon. And I can call him or his publicity person and say that you would like to meet him.”
“No, no” Horowitz and Wanda cried in unison. “You must ask him if he would like to *meet me*. Don’t say I would like to see him.”…

So Dubal must arrange for Schiff to meet Horowitz the way the Maestro wanted.

Then Horowitz read Dubal’s interview of Schiff in which Schiff praised Arrau for his utmost respect to the composers and inferred that composers seemed secondary to Horowitz. Horowitz protested on this. Dubal then argued for Schiff’s quirky character and good intention. And so Horowitz asked him to bring Schiff to see him and Dubal must also be there too.

.... NEXT POST for next chapter: Andras Schiff Visits East Ninety-Fourth Street

3 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 28