RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Award-winning pianist and master storyteller Richard Glazier returned to perform for a Rancho Murieta Women’s Club luncheon for the fourth time on Sept. 25.

Club president Bonnie Kirshman warmly introduced Glazier and shared some of his musical history.

Glazier began playing piano when he was six years old. And when he was nine, he saw the film “Girl Crazy” on television, with a score by George and Ira Gershwin, and his career seemed to start from there. He has performed in concert halls across the country, including Carnegie Hall, and has had three nationally broadcast television specials on PBS.

“His passion for the great American popular song has led him to this wonderful program we’re going to have today—from Broadway to Hollywood,” Kirschman said. 

Glazier, beloved by the club, was greeted with warm applause as he seated himself at the piano. “It’s great to be back here,” he said. “This is only the second time I have performed in four and a half years because I’ve had some health problems.

“It really means a lot because this women’s organization here in Rancho Murieta has shown great kindness and has been loyal to me. I want to celebrate this music with you,” he added.

Glazier began with a heartfelt performance of “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” a piece with special meaning for him. “I was 10 when I saw the film in 1971, and I’ve always wanted to play it,” Glazier shared.

That same year, he was introduced to “Rhapsody in Blue.” “That piece really defined the direction I would take,” he said.

Glazier’s passion for music and theater was deeply influenced by his mother, who studied acting in New York and participated in community theater after marriage. “When we went to New York when I was 3, we saw “Fiddler on the Roof.” Mom said she would never forget that performance as long as she lives.”

Glazier followed with a “Fiddler on the Roof” medley, captivating the audience.

Continuing the morning’s journey through iconic musicals, Glazier played a medley from “My Fair Lady,” another film released in 1971. As the audience hummed along, he transitioned seamlessly to “People,” a song made famous by Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl.”

Glazier also reminisced about discovering an old record at age 10 featuring Oscar Levant performing “Rhapsody in Blue”. “He was the premier interpreter of Gershwin’s concert music in the ’40s and ’50s,” Glazier said, noting his fascination with Levant’s brilliance despite his struggles with mental illness. 

Glazier shared Levant’s witty one-liners, including, “There is a thin line between genius and insanity, and I have crossed that line,” and “The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.”

In tribute to Levant’s virtuosity, Glazier dazzled the audience with a performance of “Sabre Dance”, famously featured in the 1949 film “The Barkleys of Broadway” with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Glazier then honored the legacy of Stephen Sondheim, calling him “one of the greatest lyricists and composers on Broadway,” before he played “Send in the Clowns.” 

He also shared memories of Hugh Martin, a close friend and mentor. “You may not have heard of him,” Glazier said, “But he wrote ‘The Trolley Song’ for the 1944 film ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ with Judy Garland.” He followed with a lively rendition of the song, to the delight of the audience.

Glazier took the opportunity to reflect on the impact his mother had on his childhood. “She believed in me,” he said. “My parents bought me a 16mm Bell and Howell projector, and I would check out movies from the library to watch in the basement.” 

His voice softened as he spoke about his mother’s passing in 2010, explaining that he had put together a medley of her favorite Hollywood songs in her memory. The audience sat in silence as he played the tribute.

Glazier shared one final, extraordinary story. At the age of 10, he had written to Ira Gershwin, who responded. Their correspondence is now stored in the Library of Congress.

A couple of years later, Glazier and his mother visited Gershwin’s home in Hollywood. “When I played ‘Embraceable You’ for him, the most amazing thing happened: He started singing along,” Glazier said. “That’s something you can’t even make up. You can’t put a price tag on inspiration like that.”

As Glazier played and sang the lyrics to “Embraceable You,” the room filled with emotion. The audience burst into applause, only to be silenced again as Glazier transitioned seamlessly into “Rhapsody in Blue.” 

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, many joining a standing ovation.

As the applause died down, Women’s Club members gathered around the piano to chat with the pianist. Several club members have become personal friends after his past performances at their luncheons.