Pianist Leon Fleisher to Perform at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2/1

Legendary pianist, Leon Fleisher, graces The Grand 1894 Opera House stage for one incredible performance Saturday, February 1 at 8pm. Sponsored by Shrub and Peaches Kempner-Kempner Capital Management, Texas Commission on the Arts, The Trube Foundation and the Galveston Music Club, Leon Fleisher has been described by Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman as "a consummate musician whose career is a moving testament to the life affirming power of art."

Born in San Francisco, Fleisher started studying the piano at age four, made his public debut at age eight, and was famously called "the pianist find of the century" at age 16 by The New York Philharmonic's Pierre Monteux. He became one of the few child prodigies to be accepted for study with Artur Schnabel.

By age 37, he had already garnered international acclaim but two fingers on his right hand became mysteriously immobilized. During this time of despair, he realized his passion went beyond playing the piano to the love of music. He mastered the left-hand-only piano literature, which he still performs. It wasn't until 1991, at age 80, when he was diagnosed with focal dystonia and began receiving effective treatments, that he began playing pieces for two hands again. Since 1995, he has been active as a two-handed pianist giving a recital at Carnegie, releasing his first two-handed album in more than 40 years, and made a documentary "Fleisher", which was nominated for an Academy Award.

Leon Fleisher represents the highest standard of musicianship and continues to impart his life-affirming artistry throughout the world as a conductor and soloist, recitalist, chamber music artist, and master classman. Among the many awards, Leon Fleisher has received "Instrumentalist of the Year" from Musical America, Johns Hopkins University's President's Medal, Kennedy Center Honor, and most recently he received the Royal Philharmonic Society's "Instrumentalist of the Year" award.

Ticket prices start at $22. Call for pricing on Box Seats. Special discounts for group and senior tickets may be available. For information about this and other performances scheduled, please contact The Grand's box office at 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand's website at www.thegrand.com. The theatre, located at 2020 Postoffice Street in historic downtown, is recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas." All major credit cards accepted.