Leonard Pennario, 83, Classical Pianist, Dies

NYT ^ | 6/28/08 | JAMES BARRON

[Borges]

Leonard Pennario, a popular classical pianist known for his enthusiastic public performances and recordings of the more melodic modern composers, died on Friday in La Jolla, Calif. He was 83.

A 1964 rehearsal with Leonard Pennario between the violinist Jascha Heifetz, left, and the cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.

The cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease, said Mary Kunz Goldman, who is writing his biography.

Mr. Pennario, who also became a life master in tournament bridge, was listed in both the New Grove’s Dictionary of Music and The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge. As a pianist, he made many recordings in the days of long-playing records, notably of works by Gershwin and Rachmaninoff, and appeared with well-known orchestras and conductors. Beginning in the 1960s, he also played in trios with the violinist Jascha Heifetz and the cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.

Mr. Pennario made more than 60 recordings in all, of music by composers as diverse as Bela Bartok and Louis Moreau Gottschalk. Ms. Goldman said he was the first pianist after Rachmaninoff himself to record all four Rachmaninoff concertos and the “Variations on a Theme of Paganini.”

But unlike some pianists — notably Glenn Gould — who eventually avoided concert engagements and were heard only on recordings, Mr. Pennario enjoyed playing live concerts.

“You have to play for the people,” he said last year. “You have to play for an audience. You can’t just go into a studio and make records, you know?”

[Borges]

Classical Music PING

[aristotleman]

RIP mr Pennario.

[Josh Painter]

The vinyl copy of Pennario performing the Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto (Capitol Records) that I inherited from my dad is one of my treasures.

Whether he was performing on a fine Steinway in concert halls or, as a WWII soldier, playing Christmas Carols for his fellow troops on a beat up old piano in 1945, he always practiced his artistry with joy, enthusiasm and a deep love for the music.

Another gentleman of the old school has left us. Godspeed, Mr. Pennario.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Prayers to him and his family.

Wow. I have heard him. One of his songs was used in the 1991 movie “Delirious” with John Candy. It kind of amazed me that his music wasn't used in more movies given his wide range of performances.

Here's his home page;

http://www.pennario.org/Pages/Leonard-Pennario-Biography.html

[Publius]

I saw him perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl around 30 years ago.

I have his recording of Louis Moreau Gottschalk's piano music.