More on David Bar-Illan

[trobert@law.cwsl.edu (Theodore Roberts)]

First, aplogies to David Dubal for misquoting the title of his wonderful book.  The correct title is 
"Reflections from the Keyboard."  It is a series of in-depth interviews with 35 of the greatest pianists of 
our time, including GG.

In his discussion with the author, DB discusses at some length his friendship with GG.  While this was, as one 
would suspect, mostly by telephone in its later years, they were in fact close personal friends at the height 
of their relationship.  As a demonstration of their closeness, DB offers two astonishing revelations: 1) GG 
actually attended some of DB's CONCERTS (although he refused to sit in the audience, choosing instead to hide 
backstage as a clandestine oberver)and; 2) GG actually let DB play on the sacred piano.  Of course, this means 
he also must have let him into his home.  GG also performed privately on at least one occasion, for his 
friend.

As to DB's career, he made his New York debut in 1960 with Mitropoulos and the Philharmonic, and was the first 
pianist to give a recital in the Kennedy Center.  In his interview with Dubal, he mentions an upcoming 
recording of the Chopin etudes.

All of the above information came from Dubal's book.  Hope it helps.

GG's participation in the book was in the form of hand-written repsonses to a sheet of questions from Dubal.  
Unfortunately, GG died before returning the manuscript.  The material in the review is based on first drafts 
of the answers that were among the papers in GG's estate.