The secret life of the page-turner
GEORGES ENESCU, the celebrated composer-violinist, once reluctantly agreed to teach a friend’s hopelessly untalented son and was, therefore, dismayed when the father insisted the son give a public concert in Paris. No one bought tickets until Enescu was cajoled into accompanying the boy on the piano. On the night, Enescu asked for someone to turn his pages, no doubt craving moral support; piano virtuoso Alfred Cortot was in the audience and nobly volunteered.
reported: ‘There was a strange concert at the Salle Gaveau last night. The man whom we adore when he plays the violin played the piano. Another whom we adore when he plays the
