It was Eugene Watanabe’s wish to have pianist Leon Fleisher play with the Gifted Music School orchestra at its spring gala concert this year. The director of  GMS, Watanabe was one of the now 83-year-old Fleisher’s students at the Curtis Institute of Music and has remained in contact with him ever since. “I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with him since leaving (Curtis),” Watanabe told Reichel Recommends.

Fleisher made a name for himself as one of the greatest pianists of his, or of any, generation, but he’s also equally renowned for his teaching. And the list of his former students reads like a Who’s Who of the piano. Louis Lortie, André Watts, Yefim Bronfman, Hélène Grimaud and Jonathan Biss are just a few of his pupils who have gone on to major careers as concert artists. “His teaching is quite compelling,” Watanabe said. “He is a great teacher and that is the main reason I wanted him to come. I wanted our students to have the chance to be part of this wonderful experience.”

The Utah Symphony’s assistant conductor and member of the GMS faculty, Vladimir Kulenovic, will conduct the GMS orchestra at Saturday’s concert. The first half will feature the orchestra and soloists. For the second half, Fleisher will play Mozart’s A major concerto, K. 414, in a version for strings. “This will be a meaningful concert and rewarding for all the audience,” Watanabe said.

The spring gala is GMS’s biggest concert of the year and spotlights the talents of the school’s orchestra whose members range in age from nine to 17 years. “They’re exceptional students and top players. Several of them have been featured on ‘From the Top.’” (The popular NPR program featuring young musicians is heard locally on  Fridays at 12 p.m. and Sundays at 9 p.m. on KUSU-FM 91.5.)

Gifted Music School Orchestra and Eugene Watanabe

The GMS orchestra numbers about 100 and has some of the area’s brightest and most talented young players in its ranks. “There are three reasons why we do our spring gala,” Watanabe said. “The first is to celebrate what the students have been working on during the year. The second is to bring in a guest artist. And finally, it’s to raise awareness and money for the following school year.”

It’s become a mission for Watanabe to encourage youngsters to play music and pursue the arts. “We don’t have any standards here in public schools to promote the arts,” he said. “To me it’s essential to establish a national standard because it’s important to have a cultural education alongside an academic education.” A strong focus on the arts builds a  better society, Watanabe believes. “The discipline and good values the arts offer are so important.”

Watanabe is saddened that the current generation doesn’t support the arts as previous generations have, but he’s confident things will change. “Eventually we’ll see a tectonic shift in culture and a change in perception of how important the arts are in a society.”

CONCERT INFO:

• Gifted Music School Orchestra, Leon Fleisher, piano, Vladimir Kulenovic, conductor
• Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
• Time and Date: 6:30 p.m. March 24
• Tickets: $25 reserved, $5 students
• Phone: 801-913-2868
• Web: www.giftedmusicschool.org

ALSO:

• What: Master Class with Leon Fleisher
• Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
• Time and Date: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. March 23
• Tickets: Free, but reservations required
• Phone: 801-913-2868
• Email: giftedmusicschool@gmail.com
• Web: www.giftedmusicschool.org

ALSO:

• What: Two Hands, documentary about Leon Fleisher
• Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
• Time and Date: 12-12:20 p.m. March 23
• Tickets: Free

(Click on the following link to read Ed Reichel’s interview with Leon Fleisher: http://www.reichelrecommends.com/?p=2582.)