Classical couple to launch '07 college Piano Series

Classical pianist Leon Fleisher will join Steve Martin, Diana Ross, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and director Martin Scorsese as one of the 2007 artists to be honored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2. The event will be televised Dec. 26.

But before being honored at the star-studded ceremony, Fleisher will open the College of Charleston's 2007 International Piano Series at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St.

Fleisher, who is only the fourth classical pianist in 30 years to be selected as a Kennedy Center honoree, follows legendary pianists Arthur Rubinstein, Van Cliburn and Rudolf Serkin.

The distinguished musician has a history with the International Piano Series, founded by the college's artist-in-residence, Enrique Graf, a well-known pianist in his own right.

In 1990, Fleisher gave a memorable left-handed recital at the College of Charleston as he battled a neurological affliction known as focal dystonia. However, after years of therapy, he has returned to performing with two hands.

As a young musician, he was the first American to win the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium in 1952. He has performed concerts all over the globe with every major orchestra and conductor, and has made numerous recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra. His critically acclaimed 2004 CD, "Two Hands," was his first two-handed recording in 40 years. In May 2007, his recording of Brahms' Piano Quintet, with the Emerson Quartet, was released to rave reviews.

Because his career was suddenly curtailed by his illness, Fleisher has followed two parallel occupations, one as a conductor and the other as a teacher, while performing piano compositions left-handed only. He also founded the Theatre Chamber Players at the Kennedy Center, was music director of the Annapolis Symphony and guest conducted the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York.

On Tuesday, after performing several compositions for the left hand, including Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze," Brahms' "Chaconne," and Stravinsky's Serenade in A, he will be joined by his pianist wife, Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher, to perform Franz Schubert's Fantasie in F minor for Piano 4 Hands and Maurice Ravel's "La Valse."

Jacobson-Fleisher made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 with her husband as a duo partner with the New York String Orchestra. She has performed with many leading orchestras in the United States.

Tickets to the concert are $20 and may be charged by credit card by calling 953-6575 or purchased at the door the evening of the concert. College of Charleston students and those under 18 will be admitted free.