The much admired Pianist Andre Watts passed away on July 12, 2023. Sixty years earlier, Leonard Bernstein, Director of the New York Philharmonic, enlisted the sixteen-year-old Watts to substitute for an ailing Glenn Gould. Watts performed the Concerto in E-flat by Liszt.
Harold Schonberg, Chief Critic at The New York Times, anointed Watts a “super virtuoso,” propelling his career.
In March of 1997 I was fortunate to attend a recital by Andre Watts at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, in a daunting program of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Janacek and Liszt. In an interview Watts gave to Nancy Rabbe, staff writer at The Birmingham News, Watts commented on the value of the arts and the challenges they face in America .Those comments were salient and even prescient in our currently polarized times. Some of Andre Watts’ quotes follow:
“The destruction of the arts precedes the destruction of other aspects of society.”
“The way politicians rouse the masses is to give them something or someone to hate. If they reach more of these people, they receive more votes. They bring out the worst in everyone.”
John N. Botes
Columbus
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
