Host  

Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 7/19/2009 5:21 PM UTC

  Classical Piano Arrangements for the Left Hand, Pope Benedict XVI, And Divine Providence
  

  It never surprises me how God’s Divine providence always appears with perfect timing. Why would it be any different when just two days ago Pope Benedict XVI suffered a broken right wrist during his vacation. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI enjoys playing classical piano and while at first it may seem he would have difficulty using the right hand for a few weeks, it does give the opportunity to examine important providential classical pieces written for the left hand.
  Paul Wittengenstien a brilliant pianist lost his right arm during WWI. Wittgenstien had commissioned several pieces of
  classical music from major 20 th century composers such as Ravel, Prokofiev,Britten, and Korngold. In several pieces of old correspondence, Wittgenstien emigrated to the United States during 1938, and was upset with his family for not leaving Nazi controlled Germany during WWII amid his concerns the Nazi’s could not be trusted. Pope Benedict XVI has written about his experiences in Nazi controlled Germany during his youth in his memoir entitled Milestones ( Memoirs 1927-1977 by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ( now Pope Benedict XVI).
  In addition to the mentioned commissioned works is yet another classical composition recently discovered amid Wittgenstien papers: a composition considered to be Hindemith’s lost concerto for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra. Hindemith could play any instrument in the orchestra and this composition features extravagant, left hand virtuosity balanced with orchestral precision. Hindemith’s composition was finally performed publically in 2004 during a world premiere by the Berlin Philharmonic with pianist Leon Fleisher. Included is one video of Leon Fleisher playing the Ravel ( Cadenza) for left hand.
  
  
  • Tags:
  • Classical music
  • left hand
  • Pope Benedict XVI
  • Hindemith
  • Leon Fleisher
  • Permalink