Cello World

The first part of this interview is available in the Ornstein Archive page

This is an interview done by Max Schubel, owner of Opus One Records, and pianist Jennifer Rinehart, with Russian born, pianist, composer, centenarian,

Leo Ornstein.

It has been broken into small segments. You will need the realplayer to listen to this interview. This is the second segment of what was a three hour interview. It was done in Mr. Ornsteins house, and there was a microphone on a small stand, on the coffee talbe which they all sat around. I have been told the interview was done in 1989 when Mr. Ornstein was a spry 96.

The Man

“Of course, those that dislike him, the music that he plays, and the stir that he makes in what should be a tranquil, elderly world, will call him insincere. For to be certain of the motives and mental process of those whom we dislike has long been one of the exalted prerogatives orf our common humanity.”

H. T. Parker

PART 2

I’m a morning person
Why didn’t more big names play modern music?
Building a house for his wife
What are your favorite pieces?
What pieces of your own do you like best?
Can you roll his chords? Ideas more important than rolls
You must be flexible when playing his music
Memory is a useful tool for both playing and composing
Music must be played freely
Did Rubenstein play your music?
Tell us about your quartets
Are you happy with the quality of performances our music receives?
Stokowski was his champion but even his Philadelphia Orchestra had to rehearse for his works
Was his music avant garde? What a meaningless word!
Why hasn’t your music had more performances?
He is making a musical journal where in he writes a page of music a day
What is the meaning of music?
On the nature of death and the death of his wife