Elisabeth Leonskaja (born November 23rd, 1945) one of the most important pianists of our time, winner of the First Prize at the 1964 "George Enescu" International Competition, a victory that marked the beginning of her international career - will perform at the Romanian Athenaeum on Monday, November 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. The program features Beethoven's Last Three Piano Sonatas.

Dear Ms. Elisabeth Leonskaja, what memories and emotions connect you to Bucharest?

Bucharest was the first city where I received a first prize, it was the first step toward my professional future. From that very first day, I loved Bucharest! I love the color of its air, its people, the city's energy; it is dear to me in any season. Over all these years, I've experienced very different times in Bucharest. I remember that after the revolution, the city was deeply impoverished, and the apartment blocks were riddled with bullet holes. Many things have changed since then, but one thing has not: the love and passion of the Bucharest audience for music. And that is something wonderful! Just think of the Enescu Festival how many international orchestras and soloists have come to you! This remarkable tradition has endured.

At the Romanian Athenaeum you will perform Beethoven's last three sonatas. Why did you make this choice?

For a very long time, I have wanted to perform these last three Beethoven sonatas in Bucharest. It is one of my most beloved programs. Perhaps it is also the shortest, in terms of duration. I play these sonatas without pause, which means about an hour and ten minutes; yet in terms of intensity, depth, and spiritual elevation, in what this music demands of me, I could hardly compare it to any other program.

How would you explain the content of these sonatas to an ordinary listener?

I could say this: it is so far from us, yet so "in our hearts," and so close to every human being's heart! And I would tell the audience: just imagine the unimaginable heroic act of this genius, who had long been completely deaf, for whom the acoustic world no longer existed at all, and yet conceived such phenomenal compositions!

What does Beethoven's music teach us today?

Humanity, above all! It contains so much humanity endless, humanity so much courage, so much lyricism, so much humor. It has within it absolutely everything that can create the human being, and that can make of each person a true person.

You have played Beethoven for many years. Has your perception of his music changed?

Perception? No! I only hope that I work better on this text or with this text. I could say that now I see more than I saw before. And if I see, then I also hear.

Given your vast experience as a pianist and pedagogue, how do you view the evolution of piano art today? What do you like and what do you not?

I think that in this evolution we are all, so to speak, "Rolls-Royces." Everyone has incredible technique, everyone is a virtuoso, everyone enjoys music "in their own way," and that should remain personal for each. But I believe that one single word is decisive in everything: talent. The talent and devotion each person brings to their work.

What does talent mean to you?

Talent is what is given by God. Or by nature, if you wish! It is something that cannot be taken by force and something one must work upon. In Maria Yudina's book, I found a photograph of her teacher, Nikolaev, with an inscription: "To Marusa a worthy bearer of her talent." That's everything! The more talent one has, the harder one must work!

How can this talent be measured in competitions, for example?

Competitions? I never serve on juries. I did it once and that was enough! And I wouldn't want to say whether it was fair or unfair; that's not the point. I believe I myself could give an unjust score, because we are all different every day; we can be tired or irritated. And I would not want to make such a mistake. I don't want to judge young musicians! I have too much respect for them. I don't want to judge in a way that could affect their lives...

What role does classical music play in the contemporary world?

I don't know what role it plays, because an enormous number of people don't even know what it is... But that it cannot be eradicated, and that classical music is eternal I am convinced, because it contains the ideal beauty and purity that humanity so deeply needs. Many musicians have expressed this idea. For example, Sir Colin Davis once said: "What would our souls be alone without music? Deserts!"