He was marvellous pianist.  I can recall attending a concert of his in
the London Festival Hall or in the Festival Complex there somewhere in
around 1996; it could have been the Queen Elizabeth Hall if there is
such a place in the Festival Centre.

As we know he was a large unsmiling man with prodigious technique.  He
seemed a little nervous for the first 20 minutes or so; I cannot recall
what he played at that stage.  After settling down somewhat he played
Pictures at an Exhibition; a spectacular performance.  He also played
some works by Liszt and, I think, Schumann.

At the end, to the thunderous applause, there was a glimmer of a smile
- or it could have been my imagination.  But it was a very memorable
performance (even though I can only remember once piece from it) by an
illustrious artist.

I took an Irish doctor to the performance; she is a person who knows
almost nothing of piano playing or virtuoso concerts.  I am unsure, to
this day, why she agreed to come.  She was very impressed or, at least,
said she was.  I think very few would fail to be impressed by such a
concert.

Leon Le Leu
Australia