Weekend Bonus

(The little girl at 4:30 was his youngest child, Diana)











And now, the most surprising one:

I didn't know that they had met! So, they already had something in common before each of them became my favorite pianist in different highways... Thinking it now, it is not strange at all, as Kempff was so closed to the French circle (specially with Cortot, and also N. Boulanger, etc.) 

Look at the short improvisation in Chopin's style (8:08). I of course have heard of the nine-year-old prodigy who could play ANY piece of Bach's WTC from memory TRANSPOSING them to ANY key (too natural for an organist?)... but I haven't watched any live video of him doing this until now. 

And François was so polite - he waited until others had taken their seats before sitting down (6:20)

I also especially like the first seconds, during practice before the recital... clearing that passage - Everybody, every pianist does it, but rarely it got recorded.

A litttle more about musicians' encounters: 

Last year, I showed to Pollini a picture of him with Kempff, in certain backstage in 1970's. And he didn't remember at all he had been there and asked me about details... Finally I gave the picture to him instead of asking for an autograph...

I think I have also seen a picture of Kempff with C. Haskil (a photo, not a collage on a CD cover), but I cannot find it now. If you know it, please send me some clue ;-) THX!