OUT NOW | Ruth Slenczynska, Aged 97, Releases Album "My Life in Music"

Regarded as “the greatest piano genius since Mozart,” American pianist Ruth Slenczynska celebrates her remarkable life and performing career through this album.

A child prodigy in the 1920s, Slenczynska continues nine decades later as an active performer. Most recently, Slencyznska performed at the 2021 Chopin International Festival in the Polish Embassy in New York — and celebrated her 97th birthday with a recital at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania on February 6, 2022.

Ruth Slenczynska studied with some of the most celebrated pianists in history. As the last living pupil of the composer-pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, she recalls days when they would drink tea together and as a lasting memory, she still wears a Fabergé egg necklace the great musician gifted to her.

My Life in Music is inspired by Slenczynska's personal connections with Rachmaninoff and American composer Samuel Barber, who was her fellow student and friend. Slenczynska heard Barber's now world-famous Adagio for Strings in the classroom, even before it had its title.

The album also features works by Chopin, including a piece she performed at the memorial service of a life-long friend, Vladimir Horowitz. Chopin's music was Slenczynska's daily bread, as she played all 24 Études before breakfast every morning. The album also features pieces by Debussy, Grieg, and Bach, which revives memories with some of her great piano mentors: Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, and Josef Hoffman.

My Life in Music celebrates her life as a pianist and passes on the musical gifts that have been bestowed on her throughout the years.

When speaking about her new album, Slenczynska says, "Unbelievable! Whoever heard of a pianist my age making another album? I'm grateful if they like the music. Music is meant to bring joy. If mine still brings joy to people, then it is doing what it is supposed to do."

To purchase the album, click here.

The album trailer can be watched below.