Piano legend ‘hurt’ after being asked to retire aged 95 from contest she founded
Paul Jeeves
A RENOWNED piano teacher says she was “hurt” to be asked to retire from running the world famous Leeds International Piano Competition.
Dame Fanny Waterman founded and ran the contest for more than 50 years before stepping down five years ago, aged 95.
In a statement issued at the time, Dame Fanny said she felt “ready to hand over the reins”.
But now the veteran musician has described the decision as “misguided”.
Dame Fanny, now 99, said: “I didn’t think it was the right time. I wanted to be there for ever.”
She said the “powers that be” wanted to make a change, with fresh leadership from a younger person.
She added: “I remember that kind of wording, ‘I think you’ve been in this job long enough.’
Control
“I think there was a general feeling that it was my age, and that perhaps they could get someone who’s even better than me.
“If I may say so, they were misguided. I had many, many more years to give of my own passion, my own knowledge and everything.”
Dame Fanny – dubbed Field Marshal Fanny – remains one of Britain’s most famous piano figures.
Her series of teaching books, Me And My Piano, sold more than two million copies and have never been out of print.
The competition she founded in the city of her birth launched the careers of world renowned pianists such as Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu.
It had planned a special day of events to mark her 100th birthday on March 22 but this has now been changed to a private gathering because of the coronavirus outbreak. Dame Fanny started the competition with fellow pianist Marion, Countess of Harewood, and its influence now extends around the world. She was made a dame in 2005.
Despite Dame Fanny’s claims that the decision to relinquish control was forced upon her, competition representatives insisted she continued to be a “guiding spirit” despite no longer holding a key role.
A spokesman said: “The Leeds International Piano Competition celebrates and cherishes Dame Fanny’s exceptional contribution to the musical life of this country, both as a teacher and as founder.
“She will always be identified with the Leeds, which she built into one of the most respected international music competitions.
“As President Emeritus of The Leeds, her continuing involvement is deeply valued.”