But in the history of 20th century classical music, rich with eccentrics though it is, the story of Nyiregyhazi (“NYEER-edge-hah-zee”) stands out. Stories of child actors losing their bearings later in life are common, of course.
#NEW YORK BOY MUSIC PRODIGY SERIES#
Earlier that year, NBC news had broken the story of the miraculous rediscovery of a “lost genius”: a former child prodigy from Hungary who, in the early 1920s, came to America and gave a series of “thunderous” piano concerts that made a huge impact on the musical world, before abruptly vanishing from sight. It was 1978, and as my brother and I stole glances at him while we ate our dinner, it was hard to believe that this man was once touted as one of the greatest living pianists - a man who drew comparisons to his famous countryman, composer and pianist Franz Liszt. The man appeared to be in his late 70s, his appearance hinting at homelessness, or something close to it. The woman sitting with him, at the Original Pantry restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, ate silently. He was a forlorn-looking figure, dressed in a rumpled gray raincoat that was shiny with dirt, like a mechanic’s apron.