Anecdotes: Dame Myra Hess

[stephenv]

Her artistry continues to amaze..her recording of Schumann's Symphonic Etudes seem sublime.
At one point in her career...early days, she thought of giving up the goal to become a concert pianist.  She kept going and finally became successful after concerts she gave in the 1920's in the USA>   Her manner of playing, stage presence was in direct contrast to the styles of the day 1907..when she gave her first concert.   

She was the best known student of Tobias Matthay.  She said she owed it all to him..her success, her artistry, etc.

At one time she worked with Arthur Schnabel on the Beethoven Sonatas, Piano Concertos.

Paderewski was her favorite pianist.  One time he sent her flowers after a concert, accompained by a card with a message and his signature.  She treasured that card and kept it with her during all her perfomances.

Her nobel efforst during WW2 in Britain have been chronicled.

Once she was approached and criticized for playing the trills in Bach incorrectly..the old fashioned way of starting on the upper note.   So during a concert in which she played one of Bach's French Suites the played the trills the oldfashioned way the first time thru and in the repeated sections she played them the new Correct way and the critics never noticed...Her point was as long as ornaments are musical it really does't matter.

[krystellle]

leggendary pianist.  So much to learn from her recordings.  And her life!

[pianoplayjl]

And her rendition of Apassionata! I think it was during WW2. the precursor to Argerich.