http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-997272.mp3
Albany, NY – In today's Academic Minute, Dr. Duncan Cumming of the University at Albany explains the importance of Ruth Glazer's influence on her husband's music career.
Duncan Cumming is an assistant professor of music at the University at Albany and has performed concertos, recitals, and chamber music concerts around the world, including The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He holds a Doctor of Music from Boston University and a master's degree in music from the New England Conservatory and frequently performs as part of the Capital Piano Trio.
Dr. Duncan Cumming - Ruth Glazer
While doing research for my book on my former teacher Frank Glazer, I was also drawn to the story of Ruth Glazer, the musician's wife of 54 years until her death in 2006. A remarkable woman in her own right, she was the proverbial great woman behind the great man, although as Mr. Glazer is quick to point out she was often in front of him running interference as well. Once when I landed in the emergency room the night before a concert tour the Glazers tried to get in touch with me at the hospital. Mrs. Glazer called the hospital and the orderly said only calls from immediate family would be put through. She was not to be put aside, however, and said that she was like family as she was my former piano teacher's wife. Exasperated, the orderly asked "Why doesn't the former piano teacher himself call?" to which Mrs. Glazer snapped "I make the phone calls in this family!" and they put her through.
When Frank Glazer was in Greece for a concert a review appeared in the newspaper there; despite the fact that he had been an interpreter in World War II and spoke four languages, Greek was not one of them, but he dutifully sent the review along home to Mrs. Glazer in New York City. Being a woman of action, she took it to the Greek Consulate to have it translated. As a man read through the review silently at his desk she waited, and when he finished he looked up and said "Well Madam, congratulations. You married the right man!"
On another occasion Mr. Glazer gave a television interview during a concert tour and was asked how he deals with the stress of performing on tour. His response was "I am fortunate enough to be married to a woman who always says the right thing at the right time." The next night a man arrived at the box office for Mr. Glazer's concert and asked the attendant if MRS. Glazer was to be in the audience that evening. The attendant didn't know, but wondered why he asked. "Well I can see pianists a dime a dozen," the man replied, " but I want to meet the woman who always says the right thing at the right time!"