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Two-Hand Fleisher

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Renowned pianist, who stared down
a medical crisis, performs with DSO.

11,

Saturday, November 8, 2008 8pm

Ford Community & performing Arts Center

15801 Michigan Avenue

Tickets: $29-$59
For tickets call 313-943-2354 or order
on-line at wwwdearbornfordcenter corn

Leon Fleisher had lost full use of his right hand.

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October 23 • 2008

AN

Special to the Jewish News

p

rolific pianist Leon Fleisher
faced a political dilemma in
the winter of 2007.
Selected as a Kennedy Center hon-
oree, Fleisher was not sure how to
respond. While gratified to be chosen
and glad to support an event raising
funds for the arts, he was uncomfort-
able anticipating the White House
reception.
Although his decision turned affir-
mative, Fleisher explained his position
early on in an op-ed newspaper article
and more recently in anticipation
of his upcoming concerts with the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
"It was a difficult decision because
I'm quite opposed to the administra-
tion of the past eight years and think
we are now seeing the results of [the
policies]," says Fleisher, who objects
to the Iraq war, lack of environmental
initiatives and the failure to support
stem cell research.
"I did greet the president, and I was
civil as was he. Actually, he was quite
jolly; but that's becoming a closed
chapter. I think we must look forward."

The DSO concerts to which the
pianist looks forward — "Fleisher
Plays Mozart" — features the 18th-
century composer's Piano Concerto
No. 12. Conductor Peter Oundjian also
will present Bartok's Dance Suite and
Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances
during the programs scheduled Oct.
30-Nov. 2.
"The Mozart piece has purity and
simplicity, and it brings smiles when
it is heard:' says Fleisher, 80, whose
earlier DSO appearances have placed
him at the keyboard with Neemi Jarvi
conducting and in the maestro's spot-
light with the late Ruth Laredo playing
the piano.
"This Mozart concerto is extraordi-
nary for its wittiness, good humor and
beauty; and I'm exceedingly fond of it."
Fleisher, maintaining an extensive
tour schedule taking him to presti-
gious orchestras inside and outside
the U.S., has come to special public
attention because of a monumental
health dilemma that has affected his
professional projects for nearly four
decades.
In the midst of a stellar classical
performance career launched in child-
hood and a recording schedule that
included work with the Cleveland