Leon Fleisher: A Life

Directed by: Jason Charters, Liam Romalis
Featuring: Leon Fleisher
Format: HD
Year: 2017
Produced by: Riddle Films
Distributed by: EuroArts

From his earliest days as a child prodigy in San Francisco through his tutelage under Artur Schnabel, his incredible triumph at the 1952 Queen Elisabeth Competition, his recordings with conductor George Szell, and the crushing, seemingly career-ending paralysis of his right hand, Leon Fleisher has always pursued musical expression as an endless series of epiphanies, illuminating and inspiring our recognition of the beauty in life around us.

In this intimate portrait, Leon Fleisher: A Life, the renowned pianist, conductor and teacher looks back at a dramatic career, filled with triumph and heartbreak, and, at the same time, looks forward towards the next generation of performers, helping them understand what is essential about playing and living.

The film follows Mr. Fleisher as he travels to Europe to record a performance in front of a live audience in honour of his approaching 90th birthday. He then travels to Lake Como, where he first studied with Artur Schnabel eighty years ago. He visits his former teacher’s home to talk about the incredible opportunities he received there, opportunities that Fleisher continues to try to pass on to others.