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For those looking for Schiff's monumental lecture recital series covering all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas, the complete podcast can be found here  https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/podcasts/andras-schiff-beethoven-lecture-recitals 

It boggles the mind sometimes that something of this quality is easily accessible and available for free. 

A reminder that I’m simply a fan. I do not have access to András Schiff personally in anyway. As a fan, I've seen him live on stage a few times and collected loads of records. There is no 'buy me coffee' or 'become a patron’. This is what I do because it gives me joy to share what I love. So thank you for subscribing! 🙏🏼 

Part 3 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal. Excerpts on András Schiff. Chapter 41: Five Hundred Dollar Bet
“…A week later, on my next visit to the Horowitzes, we spoke of our evening with Schiff…”

Dubal wrote Horowitz thought Schiff looked good but talk in an exaggerated manner. Horowitz then imitated Schiff way of speaking. Dubal wrote that H. did amazing imitations of people, slightly malicious but always funny. Dubal came to Schiff’s defense. “…I said, ‘I think that is his way of expressing himself in English but it’s not an affectation’. Horowitz said, ‘I know! But Mr.Dubal, why is it that I invite him to my home and he doesn’t send me a thank-you note? Maybe he didn’t have a good time.’..” 

Dubal protested that Schiff enjoyed the visit and raved about the Maestro playing of Mozart concerto. But Horowitz was still perplex as to why Schiff didn’t send a note. 

Dubal explained to them that Schiff, like any young people, could be too busy and informal. “….Wanda insisted, ‘He won’t send a thank-you note, I guarantee you.”  

H. joined in, insisted that Schiff would never send a letter to him. They bet 50 dollars on it but Dubal upped the wager to 500. 

Dubal called Schiff but he left New York already. So he called his PR. She said that Schiff was going to and she would remind him. A week later, Dubal met the Horowitz who appeared to be in a very pleasant mood. 

Horowitz said he loved 3 things in life… beautiful perfumes, money (because it means freedom to him, Dubal noted) and H. thought everyone should guess the third one right, music. 

Dubal asked ‘But what about Mrs. Horowitz? Don’t you love her?’ which Wanda shot back ‘he doesn’t love me. He needs me’. Horowitz: “”I was not speaking of people”. Wanda said sweetly “I forgive you, Volodya”.

At dinner, H. pulled out a letter from his pocket. “…Mr.Dubal, you won our bet. This is a letter from Schiff. You were right. He is a good man” 

Then Horowitz read what Schiff wrote to him. H. was content and put the letter carefully back in his pocket. He took out his wallet and brought out a 5 dollar bill. Dubal protested the bet was for 500!

“… Horowitz smiled widely, ‘You must have heard it wrong. I don’t have such money. Take the five’…”

*********

Notes:
- Pictures of Horowitz and Schiff in 1980s when they met. Sadly as Dubal reported, this occasion in 1988 was the only time they ever met. Horowitz passed away in 1989. 
- I hope you enjoy these excerpts from the book. Horowitz though, what a personality! 

Part 2 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal (1994). Excerpts on András Schiff.

Chapter 40: Andras Schiff Visits East Ninety-Fourth Street

Previously Horowitz heard Schiff’s playing on the radio, became interested and wanted to meet Schiff so he asked Dubal to arrange a meeting at Horowitz place in New York. 

“….Upon his arrival in New York, I called to say that Horowitz preferred Tuesday, March 8, 1988. Schiff readily agreed: “Whenever he wants.”

“En route to pick up Schiff, I wondered if Horowitz would like him. Perhaps bringing younger pianists into his life was a mistake. Would Andras show the proper respect?”

Dubal picked up Schiff at his West End Avenue apartment and told him that Horowitz was aware of the interview he made. 

Schiff gulped. “We’ll get past that, I hope.” Andras was dressed casually but carefully. He had on a tie and looked his “normal” self. 

Dubal deposited Schiff in Wanda’s chair “…which would enable Horowitz to hear him better. The Maestro was a little hard of hearing in the left ear, although he would not admit it. Schiff appeared calm and comfortable and was looking forward to the encounter… Schiff quickly stood to greet Horowitz, who gave him a long, dazzling smile and welcoming handshake. Schiff seemed instantly at ease with Horowitz; I was certain Andras felt the unmistakable aura of Horowitz’s presence….”

They discussed and complimented each other.  H. interviews Schiff on his upbringing in Hungary, whom he studied with etc. and asked Schiff where he has just been playing. Schiff answered: In Princeton, the Hammerklavier.

“….Horowitz cried Oh, no! What do you want to do, kill the audience? Schiff sweetly argued that Princeton’s audience was sophisticated, capable of appreciating Beethoven’s Op. 106, and that he was playing the Hammerklavier everywhere this season…”

Then they talked about Bach and Horowitz asked if Schiff cared to play for him. Schiff answered “No, I’d rather not. Mr Horowitz. At least, not tonight”.

Dubal wrote that, to his regrets, he had to go see Wanda in  another room. She asked how the meeting went. He said H. liked Schiff. When he got back he found them talking comfortably, testing out their Russian on one another. Then they talked about Horowitz recordings whereby Schiff showed great knowledge of Horowitz discography. 

The evening ended around midnight. Dubal and Schiff walked back together. Schiff said he was amazed at Horowitz interpretation of Mozart A Major Concerto, saying he didn’t agree with it but the magnetism of Horowitz’s playing was overwhelming. 

>> Stay tuned for next chapter..”Five Hundred Dollar Bet” in which Horowitz and Dubal had a wager on Schiff. 

Part 1 - Evenings with Horowitz : An Intimate Portrait by David Dubal (1994). Excerpts on András Schiff. Dubal is a acclaimed pianist, writer and broadcaster.

Chapter: Composers Come First 
“…..As Horowitz dropped onto the couch, he reported, “Today, I heard Schiff on the radio. Maybe it was your station. It was the Mozart Sonata in A minor. The slow movement was too slow, but nice sound. If he comes to New York, maybe I will see him. Horowitz picked up my book and scrutinized Schiff’s photograph. “A nice face. Maybe a little pretty, like his playing. But tell me, is he neurotic? You and me, we are neurotic. In fact, I am normal compared to you. Oh, yes I am.”
“Well, Mr. Horowitz, Schiff is not nearly as neurotic as we are. I think he is probably very settled. He seems quite balanced to me.” 
“Is he married?”
“I believe he just recently married a Japanese violinist”
“Oh, that’s bad. Now he will be forced to accompany her.” 
“That I don’t know, Maestro. But I do know Schiff is going to be in New York very soon. And I can call him or his publicity person and say that you would like to meet him.”
“No, no” Horowitz and Wanda cried in unison. “You must ask him if he would like to *meet me*. Don’t say I would like to see him.”…

So Dubal must arrange for Schiff to meet Horowitz the way the Maestro wanted. 

Then Horowitz read Dubal’s interview of Schiff in which Schiff praised Arrau for his utmost respect to the composers and inferred that composers seemed secondary to Horowitz. Horowitz protested on this. Dubal then argued for Schiff’s quirky character and good intention. And so Horowitz asked him to bring Schiff to see him and Dubal must also be there too. 

....  NEXT POST for next chapter: Andras Schiff Visits East Ninety-Fourth Street 

Congratulations to Sir András Schiff for being awarded the Bach Medal by Leipzig city, the city of Bach! 

So well deserved. 

16.06.22 Gewandhaus, Leipzig

🎉🎉👏👏🥳🙌🙌🥂