'Tell me who your friends are...'

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Eduardus Halim

Eduardus Halim (32) Indonesian pianist. Years ago, I read in The New York Times, that music critic, Harold Schönberg, was of the opinion that Eduardus should have received first prize, instead of coming in second, during an Australian piano competition. I wrote a letter to the Julliard School of Music in New York, and asked him to visit me in Amsterdam. On his way to the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, he stopped here. Nijenrode friend Han André de la Porte arranged in Amsterdam for a private recital forselected friends in a house on the grachtengordel. Later Vladimir Horowitz asked Schönberg to introduce him to one last pupil. The Times critic brought Eduardus to the Horowitzes. For two years, Eduardus would go to their town house on sunday night and get several hours of private lessons from one of the greatest pianists of our time. Schönberg devoted chapter 24 of his biography on Horowitz to his Last Pupil. (Horowitz: His Life and Music, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1992, p.p. 202-302). In my diaries I relate several stories Eduardus told me regarding his unique experiences receiving guidance and advice of this extraordinarily gifted musician. Eduardus now plays often as a piano soloist with the major symphony orchestras in the United-States.

Oakhurst, New Jersey. September 29, 2002

Dear Willem,

How touching it was to receive your letter wishing to include me in your book of friends. I do consider myself extremely fortunate to have known you as my dear friend for some twenty years of my life. I know I have to thank Mr. Harold Schönberg to thank for

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making the first meeting between us possible. Although I suspect it was really fate that it was simply fate that brought us together. Or even better yet, it was music that brought us so close.

I think of much fondness of my first trip to Amsterdam staying at your home at Amerbos 205 and playing on your lovely Yamaha conservatory your mother gave you. Also I recall your circle of intimate friends who came to the recital in that old mansion on one of Amsterdam's canals.

Last and may be the most important tribute to you is to mention how generous and kind spririted you have been to Judy and me, and lately to or two sons. Congratulations on your being for fifty years a wartawan (journalist in Behasa Indonesia).

Much love and a big hug!