Wanda Toscanini Horowitz facts for kids
Wanda Giorgina Toscanini Horowitz (born December 7, 1907, in Milan, Italy, died August 21, 1998) was a remarkable woman. She was the daughter of the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini and the wife of the legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz.
Even as a child, Wanda studied piano and singing. However, she chose not to become a professional musician. She worried she could never meet the very high standards set by her famous father. Despite this, Wanda was one of the few people brave enough to challenge her father. For example, when her father stopped speaking to her sister, Wanda stepped in. She bravely confronted him and insisted he talk to her sister again.
Wanda also had a sharp wit. Once, at a concert by her father, she saw a music critic named Virgil Thomson falling asleep. Knowing he often wrote negative reviews about her father, she walked up to him. She said, “I am Wanda Toscanini Horowitz, and I saw you sleep from the first note to the last. I hope you enjoyed the performance.” This shows how direct and confident she was.
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Wanda's Marriage to Vladimir Horowitz
Wanda was just as direct and strong-willed with her husband, Vladimir Horowitz, whom she married in 1933. She wasn't afraid to share her opinions, even about his music. For instance, in the 1950s, when Horowitz was playing a long piece by Franz Schubert, Wanda mentioned how long it was. This led the pianist to skip a part that would have been repeated.
Later, in 1983, Wanda chose not to join her husband for much of his concert tour. This was because he wasn't accepting that some medicines were affecting his playing. Wanda and Horowitz separated for a short time in 1948 but got back together in 1951. After Horowitz had a difficult time in 1953, Wanda stayed by his side and supported him.
While she was proud to be married to such a famous musician, she also said it was sometimes "a cross to bear." This meant it could be challenging. Some people, like fellow pianist Arthur Rubinstein, thought Wanda's strong personality might have contributed to Horowitz's difficulties. Rubinstein described Wanda as "hard as stone."
Remembering Her Daughter Sonia
Wanda and Vladimir Horowitz had one child, a daughter named Sonia (1934–1975). Wanda often spoke about Sonia, saying that her daughter's death was the worst pain a mother could feel. Even more than ten years after Sonia passed away, Wanda would sometimes cry just hearing her daughter's name. This shows how much she loved and missed her.
Wanda's Political Views and Later Life
Like her husband, Wanda had strong liberal political beliefs. She was very open about her views. For example, she once called President Ronald Reagan "a second-rate actor and a second-rate President."
After Horowitz passed away in 1989, Wanda bought an old farm house. She named it "Pinci's Acres," using her special nickname for Horowitz. This house was in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts. She filled it with old American furniture and items that reminded her of Horowitz. She then split her time between this farm house and her home in New York City.
Wanda was also a big animal lover. She volunteered for the ASPCA, which helps animals, and adopted several stray cats.
Managing a Musical Legacy
As Horowitz's only heir, Wanda was in charge of her late husband's musical recordings and legacy. In the 1990s, she approved the release of several recordings that had never been heard before. However, she also decided not to release some recordings. One famous example was a piece called Islamey by Mily Balakirev. Wanda felt it was too "flashy" and didn't show her husband's best work.
Despite her decision, copies of the recording eventually appeared online. Many people then asked for it to be officially released. Finally, in 2009, the recording was made available to the public.
Wanda's Burial and Appearances
Wanda was buried next to her husband in the Toscanini family tomb. This tomb is located at Cimitero Monumentale in Milan, Italy. Sadly, in May 2004, vandals broke into the tomb and opened her coffin. They were possibly looking for jewelry.
Wanda Toscanini Horowitz also appeared in several films about her husband. One of the most notable was The Last Romantic. In this documentary, she shared her thoughts on her husband's amazing musical talent. She also reflected on her life growing up with a famous conductor father and being married to a legendary pianist. Wanda was also a friend of the filmmaker Woody Allen. She even had a small speaking part in his movie Crimes and Misdemeanors.
See also
In Spanish: Wanda Toscanini para niños
