Maestro Ashkenazy, now 81 years old, is interviewed by Zsolt Bognár in a series created by Peter Hobbs. Such a fun listen! And what a charming man.

“I learned it, I better play it.” Gotta love that.

It’s quite fascinating to hear him talk about the different approach he had in the Soviet Union.

“If you go for fame and financial development, you have a problem. Just think of the music. If you play well, try again, try again. Play well. Don’t go for the career just go for the music you’re playing.”