15 January 2025
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Born in 1925 in Sacramento, California, to Polish immigrants, Slenczynska gave her concert debut at the age of four (just as the world entered the Great Depression), performed on television aged five and at six made her European concert debut in Berlin.
Over nine decades later, the extraordinary pianist still performs to audiences around the world.
As a child, Ruth Slenczynska was taught by some of the most celebrated pianists in history. She is the last living pupil of the great Russian composer-pianist Sergei Rachmaninov, and even stepped in for him at the last minute when he was unable to perform due to an injury. The pair would often drink tea together and, to this day, Slenczynska wears a Fabergé egg necklace the great musician gifted to her.
Three years ago, when she was a 'mere' 97 years old, Decca Classics released her album, My Life in Music. Having recorded for the Decca Gold Label in the 1950s and 60s, Ruth was to return to the label some 60 years later (album cover above). The album celebrates her remarkable life and performing career, and includes works by Chopin, Rachmaninov, Barber, Bach and more.
Slenczynska plays Beethoven
Watch this incredible footage of a five-year-old Ruth Slenczynska playing Beethoven back in 1930! At the start of the video, she declares, "I'm going to play a Minuet in G major by Beethoven."
Slenczynska is the last living pupil of the great Rachmaninov, and even heard Barber’s now world-famous Adagio for Strings in the classroom before it even had its title.
Photos © Meredith Truax