E6
BD EE
KLMNO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2010 A crippling 30-year malady opens new paths fleisher from E1 Even for a child prodigy, the
Brahms DMinor is a tall order. It calls for two-fisted piano playing and emotions that you might think are beyond the compass of a child. But I loved it so much I couldn’t stay away. Within a year or so, I was working onmaking it my own. I was probably a little young. It’s smart, though, to learn very difficult repertory when you’re young. That way, you get it in your fingers, and in your DNA, before you realize just howhard it really is. From the moment I first heard
it, I dreamed of playing the Brahms D Minor with a full or- chestra, with George Szell con- ducting. And when I began learn- ing it, actually playing itmyself, I dreamedevenharder. Dreaming helps. My dreams
were fulfilled. The Brahms D Mi- nor Concerto became my talis- man. I played it inmy debut with theNewYorkPhilharmonic,when Iwas 16. IplayeditwhenIwonthe prestigiousQueenElisabethCom- petition in Brussels at age 23, the first American to win it. And I played it, finally, with George Szell.We even recorded it togeth- er. Some people call our recording a classic. If my story is about anything,
it’s about being very carefulwhen
yourdreamscometrue.TheGreek mythsarefullof talesofheroes cut down in the arrogance of their prime, taught humility by a blow fromthe gods. It soundsmelodra- matic. But such things really can
happen.Theyhappenedtome. I was at the peak of my career,
ready to conquer the world, and whether or not I was guilty of hubris, the thunder of Thor came down and hit me where I lived. WhenIwas36yearsold, Imysteri- ously lost theuse of two fingers on my right hand. The fourth and fifthfinger startedcramping,curl- ing up, until they were firmly lodgedagainstmypalm.Whenthe gods want to get you, they know right where to strike: the place it will hurt the most. I thought I wouldneverplay again. Was it inmy head?Was it some
biggermalady?Noonewas able to tellmewhatwaswrong. I looked. I lookedinmoreplacesthanImight have thought possible. I was will-
COURTESY OF LEON FLEISHER
HIGHNOTE: Fleisher and Leonard Bernstein go over a score together around the time of their 1945 Ravinia Festival performance.
ingtotryanythingtoget theuseof my hand back: treatments, thera- py,medications, spiritual healers, youname it. I wasn’t especially noble in my
affliction. I shut down. I acted out in all kinds ofways, ofwhich I am notparticularlyproud. Inwardly, I railed against my situation; out- wardly, Ihid fromit, turning away fromfriends and family, trying to prove however I could that I was
still vital. I grewmy hair, grew out my beard, and began tooling around on a Vespa. I didn’t have any other tools to help me deal withwhathadhappened. Itwashardtofindwordsfor the
dark cloud that hovered overme: of anguish, of dejection, of rage. I fell into a deep depression. Atmy lowest point, I seriously consid- eredkillingmyself. But I didn’t. I stayed
alive.And,
BOTTICELLI IMPORTED
PASTAS 1LB.
LB. 4.98 FILET
TILAPIA FILET
FRESH
SALMON LB.
HILLSHIRE SMOKED SAUSAGE
14-16 OZ. 2/$
CHEDDARS 8
OZ. 5 2.48
SHREDDED CHEESES
8 OZ.
RICHFOOD AMERICAN SINGLES 12 OZ. RICHFOOD BUTTER QUARTERS 1 LB. AXELROD COTTAGE CHEESES 16 OZ.
WHIPPED TOPPING
7 OZ. SPRAY
1.98 CABOT
1.98
EGG NOG QT.
SOUTHERN COMFORT
2/$ 5 6 OZ. LB. 3.88
EYE ROUND ROAST
7.98
RIB EYE STEAKS LB.
OR DELMONICO BONELESS
DIAMOND JIM NEW YORK STRIP STEAKS
PORK CHOPS ORPORK
BONELESS
TENDERLOIN ROAST
LB.
MARYLAND LUMP
CRAB MEAT
1 LB. CUP
CHOBANI GREEK YOGURT
5/$ 2.98
GA. AVE. & SEMINARY RD. SILVER SPRING, MD VISIT
SNIDERFOODS.COM BELTWAY EXIT 31B CRYOVAC
4/$ 8.98 LB. 3
TWINING TEA BAGS EARL GREY OR
ENGLISH BREAKFAST 1 BOX 50
EASY &DELICIOUS MEALS WITH…SNIDERS ENTREES CHICKEN
BREASTS SPLIT BONE-IN LB.
BONELESS
LB. 2.48 ROUND
FRESHLY GROUND CHUCK
LB. 3.48
INTERNATIONAL CHEESES & DAIRY PRODUCTS CABOT
PHILLY 5
CHEESE OZ.
BELMONT BRIE
7
CHEESE 8 OZ. BAR
DOLE 100% JUICE BLENDS 64 OZ. TROPICANA ORANGE JUICES 64 OZ. SARGENTO
1.38 2/$
2.98
2/$5 5.88 1.98
CHEESE LB.
CREAMS PINT
SOUR JARLSBERG 5
11.98 3.68 CREAM
GWALTNEY SLICED BACONS1 LB.
1.58 2.28
BAKERY SHOPPE
JUMBO BROOKLYN 24 BAGELS
PKG. 6 OZ. 2.29
TOUFAYAN PITAS 12 OZ.
BREAD 18 OZ. SLICED ROLLS DOZEN 100% WHEAT ROLLS
MARTIN'S POTATO
DOZEN 1.98 MAIERS SLICED
ITALIAN BREAD 3.29 @
WHOLE GRAIN BREADS
ARNOLD THOMAS
WAS @4.99
WAS @3.49
HALF PRICE
BAGEL THINS
BUY ONE… GET ONE FREE
CALIFORNIA FOREST GLEN
7.48
ASSORTED 750 ML.
2.98 1.98
BREAKSTONE 1.38
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN GATE
ENGLISH MUFFINS 1.98
TWIN PKG 12 3.99 LB.
BEEF BRISKETS 3.88
FIRST CUT The Waverly Consort
FRESH N' FANCY…FRUITS & VEGETABLES…SAVE!
CALIF.NAVEL
ORANGES BIG 4 LB. BAG
98¢ IDAHO BAKING 1.98
& ALL PURPOSEPOTATOES 5 LB. BAG
2/2.98 @4.19
LEMONS EA.
JUICY
BEER & WINES FOR EVERY MEAL DELI & APPETIZERS…FULL SERVICE LITTLE PENGUIN 9.98
1.98 EA. 99¢ LB. AUSTRALIA
3/99¢ AVHASS
OCADOS
WAS 7.99
ASSORTED 750 ML. ASSORTED 1.5 LITRE
GATO NEGRO
CHILE 5.98
ASSORTED 750 ML.
ARGENTINA ALAMOS
8.48
GUINNESS STOUT 15.98 BASS ALE 15.58 GROLSCH LAGER 13.48 HIGH LIFE
WARSTEINER 14.98 •1TO6FOOT SUBS… GREAT! •CHRISTMAS PARTY PLATTERS &SANDWICHES
7.58 CANS 30
MILLER LITE
21.98
CHICKEN OR SHRIMP SALAD LB.
6.98 P4 AK
F R O Z E
N E 5.98
• HOT N' READY ROTISSERIE A
BEERS 12 OZ. BOTTLES 12 PAK HAM STOREMADE
ASSORTED 750 ML.
HOME BAKED HONEY OR VIRGINIA LB.
BUTTERBALL TURKEY
• HOME ROAST • SMOKED • PEPPER
LB.
TURKEY SALAD OR AMERICAN CHEESE
LB. 4.88 4.88
1.68 5.88
CHEESE LB.
PIT HAM OR MUENSTER & PROVOLONE
ROAST BEEF
• LONDON BROIL • TOP ROUND LB.
LB. 6.88 LB. "OFF THE BONE" 8.98
TURKEY 5.88 HAM
CORNED BEEF ROUND LB.
Leahy 2.98 1.99
CLUSTERONTHEVINE TOMATOES LB.
SALADS ANY PACKAGE
FANCY RED SEEDLESS GRAPES
99¢ FRESH
1.98 LB. 99¢
TENDER GREEN BEANS
FRESH-NATURAL APPLE CIDER
GALLON 3.98 LB. 68¢
JUMBO SWEET ONIONS
CRISP GALA APPLES
LB. 1.28 EA. 2/$
RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT
1 5.88 Synergy Brass Quintet The Waverly Consort
The Christmas Story Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m.
“This is the way to begin the Christmas season,” says the Los Angeles Times of the unique holiday celebration presented by this 13-member ensemble. Singers join instrumentalists to recreate the pageantry and joy of the medieval church. Their performance recounts the events of the Biblical Christmas story—the message of the archangel Gabriel to the shepherds, the journey of the Magi to the manger at Bethlehem, the intrigue of Herod and his court, and the flight into Egypt—in an uplifting and moving celebration of ritual drama and song “One of the joys of the season.” (Chicago Tribune)
$42, $34, $21 ff Synergy Brass Quintet
Christmas in Brass Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m.
“Blazing precision…amazing technique,” says the Watertown Daily Times about this illustrious brass quintet. Acclaimed for their amazing technical skill, marvelous showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting new classical music ensembles. The quintet makes its Center debut with a spirited holiday program that features lush brass arrangements of Bach’s choral works, as well as Handel’s triumphant Messiah, amid a broad selection of classic Christmas carols. Their extraordinary musicianship is matched only by the delightful wit that they weave into this evening of holiday entertainment.
$44, $36, $22 Leahy ff LOIS RAIMONDO/THE WASHINGTON POST
ESTEEMEDCOMPANY: The 2007Kennedy CenterHonors recognized, from left, SteveMartin, Leon Fleisher, Diana Ross, Brian Wilson andMartin Scorsese, seen after their State Department dinner.
justas Iwas stuckwithbeingalive, Iwas stuckwithmy love ofmusic. Something about it was still sus- taining, and still worthwhile. So I embarkedonaquest tomakealife inmusic, inanyway I could.
Another path I slowly foundmyway to other
careers in music. I became a con- ductor, working with other musi- cians to make the sounds I could no longer make myself. I devel- oped as a teacher, learning to use words to communicate the truths in the pieces I loved, which I had once expressed with my fingers
alone.Somehow,my experienceof music became richer the more I explored other ways of relating to it.
I didn’t fully realize, as I lived
them, how much these different careers were opening me up to newexperiencesandapproaches I had never even dreamed of. I, the
clean-cut piano soloist, took on the appearance of a long-haired hippie. I, the interpreter of Brahms, began conducting con- temporary music that was unlike anythingIhadpreviously encoun- tered in my musical life: thorny scores and avant-garde operas. I, the hard-nosed rationalist who spent hours a day sitting at the piano practicing, began visiting faith healers, practitioners of Eastern medicine, gurus and quacks, in search of a cure. I, the acolyte of the great Schnabel, be- ganseekingoutotherpianoteach- ersandexperimentingwithdiffer- ent techniques to see if anything couldcast some lightonmy condi- tion. Because callme obsessive-com-
pulsive, callme stubborn, callme inspired, I never stopped looking for a way to make my right hand work again. And I never stopped testing it on the keyboard, every day, to see if my symptoms were abating.
Everyday.For 30 years. Inthemeantime, theworldwas
moving forward. Medical science was making advances. Repetitive straininjuries became a subject of study. So did injuries to instru- mentalists. Once, we were told it was all in our heads. Now, it seemed, inflicting the same un- naturalsetofmovementsoverand over on your body could lead to severe consequences if you weren’t careful — or if you were just unlucky. I began hearing of other pianists with hand prob- lems, violinists who couldn’t fin- ger, horn and flute players who lost the ability topurse their lips. I began hearing of a neurological condition that could be aggravat- ed by repeatedmovement or trig- geredby stress or trauma. Therapists and doctors, practi-
tioners of Western and holistic healing alike, were becoming more adept at dealing with such injuries. And after all the years of
searching, of suffering, some of theprinciplesof recoverybeganto takehold. Igradually realizedthat my handmight not regain its full former strength. But that didn’t meanthat I couldn’t,withthehelp of healing techniques and the full force ofmywill, begintouse it. I turned to Rolfing, amassage-
like technique. The practitioner identified pressure points where years of tension were stored, and slowly broughtmy frozenmuscles back to life. I turned to Botox, a deadly poison that doctors run- ning an experimental program at the National Institutes of Health suggested might help numb the muscles that had been pulling at my fingers, so the rest ofmy hand couldget onwithit. And I turned to my inner re-
sources, the part ofme deepwith- inthatknewthat,somehow,some- day, I was going to be able to play withtwohands again. My righthandbeganto open. Onemorning inmy home,with
the sun streaming through the windows, I went and sat at my keyboard. I flexed my fingers. I heard, in my inner ear, the thun- der ofThor. And I began playing, with both
hands, the Brahms DMinor Con- certo, at the point where the long orchestral introduction ends and the piano finally makes its en- trance. I was 66 years old, and I was
about tobeginanothernewcareer.
midgettea@washpost.com
Fromthe book: MYNINE LIVES: AMemoir ofManyCareers in Music by Leon Fleisher and Anne Midgette. Copyright©2010by Leon Fleisher. Published by arrangementwithDoubleday, an imprint of theKnopfDoubleday Publishing Group, a division ofRandomHouse Inc.
D
Turtle Island Quartet With Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall
Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m. Turtle Island Quartet
“A sterling example of first-rate jazz music-making,” (Los Angeles Times) Formed 25 years ago by four virtuosos, this Grammy Award-winning quartet began redefining chamber music by integrating jazz improvisation and rhythms and including different music styles. Celebrating their anniversary in grand style, Turtle Island Quartet invites pianist Cyrus Chestnut and mandolin player Mike Marshall to join them onstage. A remarkable evening of classic jazz, Americana, and holiday favorites.
$44, $36, $22
VIDEOONTHEWEBTowatch Leon Fleischer playBach, go to
washingtonpost.com/style. Visit us at
cfa.gmu.edu
Leahy Family Christmas Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m.
When Leahy last performed at the Center, they packed the house and brought the audience to its feet. Described by the Buffalo News as “fresh, vibrant, and engaging,” this charming and award-winning Canadian octet of brothers and sisters presents an energetic and joyous holiday program mixing Celtic melodies with traditional Christmas carols. “Leahy makes Christmas a true family affair!” (Calgary Herald)
$48, $40, $24 ff Vienna Boys Choir
Christmas in Vienna Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 19 at 4 p.m.
Vienna Boys Choir
ff =FAMILY FRIENDLY: Youth through grade 12 half price!
After a sold-out performance at the Center in 2008, The Washington Post praised this beloved choir for its “totally disciplined voices” and “a sound conveying ebullience, humor, or solemnity as the music called for.” Since its founding more than five centuries ago, the Vienna Boys Choir has been synonymous with choral music, and has delighted audiences across the globe. Bring the whole family to enjoy their exceptionally beautiful singing in this program of holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation)
$48, $40, $24 ff
On the Fairfax campus, six miles west of Beltway exit 54 at the intersection of Braddock Road and Rt. 123.
Center fortheArts 888-945-2468 or
cfa.gmu.edu
EFFECTIVE SUN. THRU SAT. OPEN 7 DAYS
SUNDAY8-6 MON-FRI 8-9 SATURDAY7-7
V N OCEAN SPRAY
36.4 OZ.
PEANUT BUTTERS 30%3.9514 OZ.
CRANBERRY SAUCES
12 OZ. 32
BLOODY MARY MIX 2/$
OCEAN SPRAY OZ.
QUAKER OATS CEREAL 18
QUICK OR REGULAR 2/$
5 4
LITRE 34 OZ.
LEMON JUICE64 OZ. 1.55
TERRA MADRE IMPORTED
JUICE
16 OZ. JARDRY PLANTERS OZ.
ASSORTED
POTATO CHIPS 10 OZ
2/$5 4.95 MARTIN'S 3.99
1.98 ROAST PEANUTSPARTY 36 OZ. 2/$
& POMEGRANATE 64
LANGER 100% JUICES CRANBERRY
3/$ 5
OZ.
PRESERVES 2/$
"FAVORIT" PURE SWISS
98¢ SKIPPY MORE FREE 6
&
6OZ.VARIETIES 2/$
CRAISINS
CHOC.COVERED
4 NNETONE CAKES
ASSORTED "POUNDERS"
14
MOTT'S "NATURAL" APPLE
PRETZELS OZ.
SNYDER'S PEPSI PRODUCTS
ASSORTED 12 OZ. CANS
46SAUCE 5
OZ. JAR OZ. 34
CHOCOLATE SYRUP
"BOSCO"
22 OZ. SQUEEZE
ARTICHOKES 6 OZ. JAR
HEARTS OF 99¢
COSMOS MARINATED
2X 50 OZ.
3.95 5.95 YELLOW BOX
18 OZ.
CHEERIOS 2/$5 52/$
99¢
SELECTED PKG.
X-TRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
MADE IN ITALY BOTTICELLI
2/$3 3.39 LIQUID LAUNDRY & RICE PILAFS
6.95 2.95 DYNAMO
BUTTER COOKIES
COPENHAGEN DANISH
12 OZ. GIFT TIN
MINI OR REGULAR MARSHMALLOWS
CAMPFIRE 10-10.5 OZ. 98¢
CARRINGTON HERBAL TEA BAGS
FLAVORS BOX 20
98¢
COUSCOUS 5 5
NEAR EAST 4/$2/$ 14 OZ.
TOASTED OATS OR BRAN
ANTIOXIDANT GRAIN BERRY CEREALS
5
JUST ARRIVED FROM ITALY PA "2011"
32 OZ. 30
TOMATOES & BASIL JUMBO 35 OZ.
ITALIAN STYLE TUTTOROSSO 4/$
CHUNK WHITE TUNA
BUMBLE BEE OZ.
MAYONNAISE ANY VARIETY
HELLMANN'S OZ. 2.19 SILVER PALATE 16
10 PAK
OATMEAL16 OZ.
THICK & ROUGH
OZ.
BATH DOUBLE ROLL 18 ROLL
COTTONELLE 8.99 89¢
• PETITE PEAS • CAULIFLOWER FLORETS
•HANOVER "GOLD LINE" WHITE CORNS OZ.
CHOCOLATE COCOAS 98¢
RICHFOOD
LASAGNA NOODLES 1.33
SAN GIORGIO
FRENCH FRIES 2 LB.
MCCAIN
CHOCOLATE COVERED ICE CREAM BON BONS
EDY'S DIBS 2/$ 6
SELECTED 12-16 OZ.
CHOPPED OR LEAF SPINACHBROCCOLI SPEARS 10
5/$ 4 5 15 PA HOME LIFEPER NAPKINS
PKG. 250
ASSORTED 10-11 OZ.
EGGO BY KELLOGG'S CINNABON PANCAKES
Z
14-16 OZ. 3/$5 EDY'S GRAND RICHFOOD
OZ. 2/$ 2/$ 6 3
FRUIT BARS 6 PAK ICE CREAMS 1.5 QT.
3.98 98¢ 1.95 15
16.9 OZ. 101 OZ. OZ.
FACIALS PKG. 132
SCOTTIES
VEGETABLES 2/$5 3/$
BIRDSEYE 3
SAVE! QUART!
ICE CREAMS 6
GIFFORDS "OF MAINE" PREMIUM
2/$
PUMPKIN NEWMAN'S OWN
16 OZ. 98¢ 5
SALSAS 2/$
DRESSINGS 2.95
SALAD
SPRING WATER FARMERS ORGANIC
DEER PARK NATURAL
SOUP MIXES 3.45
LYSANDER S 1.75
E
R NEW!
OR
OR OR 24
F
U
NEW!
R
!
O
S
E P
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158