FYI October 26, 2006 Leonid Hambro, 86, Pianist With an Astounding Memory, Dies By DANIEL J. WAKIN New York Times Leonid Hambro, a concert pianist noted for his prodigious memory, improvising genius and humorous musical desecrations as Victor Borge's straight man, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 86. The cause was complications of head and vertebrae injuries suffered in a fall six weeks ago, said his wife, Barbara Hambro. As a pianist, Mr. Hambro had a huge repertory of pieces, most committed to memory. He used his storehouse in impressive displays called "Command Performances," in which he gave a list of a hundred works to audience members and had them pick the program. In a near-legendary episode, Mr. Hambro substituted for an ill pianist in a concert of music by Paul Hindemith, conducted by the composer, at Town Hall in 1952. The part was complex and difficult, but Mr. Hambro had learned it in just 24 hours. Hindemith told people in the audience that they had heard a "kind of miracle." Mr. Hambro had a distinguished conventional career, making more than 100 recordings and touring worldwide. He played as a soloist with the orchestras of Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and London, among many others. He was known especially as a sensitive and skilled chamber musician, collaborating with soloists like Fritz Kreisler, Jascha Heifetz, Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose and Pierre Fournier. For 17 years, he was a pianist for WQXR, the radio station owned by The New York Times Company, playing live recitals and chamber music on the air. He and another WQXR pianist, Jascha Zayde, formed a duo that played throughout the 1960's. But it was another partnership for which Mr. Hambro was best known. The entertainer Victor Borge was looking for a foil for his piano comedy act, and his producer recommended Mr. Hambro in 1961. Mr. Hambro resisted, Mrs. Hambro said, but finally gave in, although he made it clear he would continuing playing serious concerts. ... http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/daniel_j_wakin/ Karl