Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
In pianist Leon Fleisher's return to playing with both hands, an indomitable spirit has triumphed over physical adversity. Not that he has been absent from music since losing the use of his right hand to focal dystonia in 1965: in addition to forging a successful career as teacher and conductor, he performed the left-hand literature with peerless mastery, enlarging it with new commissions. However, he persisted in searching for a cure, and his determination has now borne fruit: this is his first record of the two-hand repertoire in 40 years. It is altogether extraordinary. Always a great pianist and musician, Fleisher has lost none of his powerful, consummate technique (not surprisingly, his left hand is enormously strong), his rhythmic and tonal control, his expressive projection. His sound is ravishingly beautiful, rich, full, singing, delicate, capable of infinite variations of dynamics, color and nuance; his intellectual and emotional concentration are riveting. The program features familiar short pieces and Schubert's great last sonata. Two Bach transcriptions, one by Myra Hess, one by Egon Petri, are overloaded and artificial, but played with reverential simplicity; a Scarlatti Sonata is scintillating without being fast; a Chopin Mazurka and Nocturne and Debussy's 'Clair de lune' are frankly sentimental, very poetic, free, slow and dreamy. They invite the listener to focus on the playing rather than the music. The Schubert is monumental. Fleisher's vitality and exuberance belie his 75 years, though his impetuosity sometimes leads to jerkiness (in the Scherzo), and rushed tempi (in the Finale). His dynamics can be wayward, but the texture, even at its richest, is always crystal clear; every line stands out, indeed some seem newly discovered. There is plenty of time for reposeful rests, poised transitions, changes of harmony, color and mood; the sense of depth, breadth, coherence and continuity never falters. --Edith Eisler









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Disc 1:

1. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
2. Sheep May Safely Graze
3. Molto moderato
4. Andante sostenuto
5. Allegro vivace con delicatezza
6. Allegro ma non troppo

Rating: - * Love this album ... This is one of the most beautiful and personal recordings I have ever heard. There's really nothing more to say. I just wish it were a double album. Rating: - * Divine Pianism ... After more than 35 years of suffering from dystonia, his two-hand pianism emerges like a miracle! I can not detect even a hint of disability in his right hand. Like S.Richter in his later years, Fleisher's playing has a kind of rarified beauty and reverence for music. Bach's Cantata arrangements, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Myra Hess) and Sheep may safely graze (Egon Petri), are played most beautifully with blissful simplicity. Scarlatti sonata is an expression of pure joy of making music. Chopin noctune and Debussy's Clair de lune are absolutely magical, second only to the miraculously atmospheric performance of Clair de lune by Richter. Highlight of this cd is the awe-inspiring performance of Schubert's D960 Sonata. This is a superlative performance that can match the great recordings by Rubinstein and Richter in depth, delicacy and richness of playing. Fleisher defies the centuries-old nonsense that left-hand part must support right hand, by letting left hand part express itself as much as right hand part. The effect is a revelation. The piano produces lavishingly rich sounds like an orchestra. This performance is a moving testimony that adversity can be tunred into advantage, by an artist who, through much suffering, has learned the essence of what music is and what life is. Commentary includes pianist's own very personal and touching episodes and insights on each piece, and on his mentor Schnabel's influence. Rating: - * Artistry and Strenght ... I look for this CD after having heard in a Lisbon radio, a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Fleisher playing Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze. I was so moved by his interpretation, by the beauty and simplicity of that piece that I immediately start looking for the CD. Only then I knew who he was as a musician and a human being: great, strong, marvellous man! Thank you very much, Mr. Fleisher for letting me know your art and this tiny, wonderful piece of mucic. Rating: - * Classical piano doesn't get any better than this ... This is a beautifully produced album by a master of the piano. Listening to the piano transcription of Sheep May Safely Graze is worth the price of admission alone. The Schubert D flat major sonata is moving and powerful. The Chopin delightful and full of feeling. You waited your whole life to hear the piano played this well with such a delightful choice of pieces. Highly recommended. Rating: - * F leisher's triumphant return. ... It is thrilling and soul-satisfying to hear Leon Fleisher's superb and sensitive playing of Bach, Scarlatti, Chopin, Debussy and Schubert after dystonia had prevented two-handed performances for more than 35 years. The Fleisher tapes of Beethoven's piano concertos with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, before his disability, are treasures, and "Two Hands" shows that maturity has made his touch even more magical. His playing of Schubert's great Sonata in B flat Major rivals that of Leif Ove Andsnes, whom I have heard in person. For me, that is the ultimate accolade. Art Wild, Long Beach CA, 1/10/07