IT'S about time Leon Fleisher came to Hollywood. His, after all, is a perfect movie story: a combination of epic tragedy and personal triumph, complete with an odds-defying ending. For more than 30 years, Fleisher dedicated himself to becoming one of America's greatest pianists -- until a mystery ailment rendered his right hand useless. Stranded, seemingly without a future, he battled his way back from despair and spent another 30 years rebuilding his life while never giving up his quest to find answers, if not an antidote.
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A hand fate dealt him
Leon Fleisher was a child prodigy destined for greatness. But the story of his ensuing struggle is so good, Hollywood came knocking.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday February 21, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 53 words Type of Material: Correction
Leon Fleisher: An article about pianist Leon Fleisher in Sunday's Arts & Music section incorrectly said that when his career was beginning to flourish, he and his first wife were raising two of their three children in Baltimore. In fact, Fleisher and his second wife were raising their two children in Baltimore then.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday February 25, 2007 Home Edition Sunday Calendar Part E Page 2 Calendar Desk 1 inches; 49 words Type of Material: Correction
Leon Fleisher: An article about pianist Leon Fleisher last Sunday incorrectly said that when his career was beginning to flourish, he and his first wife were raising two of their three children in Baltimore. In fact, Fleisher and his second wife were raising their two children in Baltimore then.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday February 25, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 54 words Type of Material: Correction
Leon Fleisher: An article about pianist Leon Fleisher in the Feb. 18 Arts & Music section said that when his career was beginning to flourish, he and his first wife were rearing two of their three children in Baltimore. In fact, Fleisher and his second wife were rearing their two children in Baltimore then.
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His relentlessness paid off. Fleisher is playing with both hands again. In the decade since his recovery, he has returned to the international concert circuit, recorded two albums and won a slew of honors. Most recently, he has become a film star of sorts thanks to a documentary short in contention for an Academy Award.
"It's amazing," says Fleisher, who will perform Schubert sonatas with violinist Jaime Laredo at UCLA on Saturday. "My variegated 78 years of life condensed into 16 minutes. It gives one a sense of perspective, if not proportion."
Director Nathaniel Kahn's "Two Hands" actually offers perspective \o7through \f7proportion, its understated approach mirroring the less-is-more philosophy of its subject, a musician famous for his thoughtful lyricism and depth of feeling.
In the filmmaker's best-known work, the 2003 "My Architect," he chased an elusive ghost -- his late father, Louis I. Kahn. This time, says Kahn, "I was digging into the soul of a guy who's very game and very much alive." Fleisher, he adds, has a name that suits him: "Leon's a lion. He's got a kind of regalness, a pretty good growl and a helluva mane of hair. Beneath all that, he projects a lot of emotions. There's a great deal of love but also sadness, sorrow, loss, an acceptance of fate and something else which is very important -- Leon has found personal and domestic peace."
Fleisher agrees. "It may sound kind of mawkish," he says, "but were I given the chance, I'm not sure I would change anything that happened to me."
Really?
He laughs the soft, wise laugh of a man who has lived through a lot.
"The opening up of possibilities, new avenues, sources of joy that had not been available to me as a piano player are all very real," he says. "There's nothing mealy-mouthed about that."
An early influence
