A Memorial Day Tribute

 

When I play Ravel’s Left Hand Concerto, my goal is to make it sound like I have THREE hands, so says pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.

 

The Back Story

Pianist Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right arm because of a bullet wound in WW I, commissioned composer Maurice Ravel to write a concerto for the left hand.

 

Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand was commissioned in 1929 by the pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who had lost his arm during World War I.

Wittgenstein gave the premiere of the piece in 1932 and ever since it’s been a firm audience favourite.

 

A 3-minute excerpt from Wittgenstein’s solo piano:

 

 

Persistence & Perseverance: endurance, grit, stamina

If I could not reach the summit by one route, I would climb down and start again from the other side!Β Β Β Β  ~ Paul Wittgenstein

Vancouver, British Columbia July 2017

 

 


Have you heard of Paul Wittgenstein?

Do you know anyone else with a special handicap who has developed an awesome skill?

Other notable quotes about persistence?