Big Broadcast Bites: Child Prodigy Ruth Slenczynska celebrates 100 years

Ruth Slenczynska, a pianist whose childhood prodigy career included performing for Rudy Vallee and studying under legends like Sergei Rachmaninoff, turns 100 years old on January 15, 2025. Born in Sacramento, she made her New York debut at just eight years old. A musical icon, Ruth returned to recording in 2022 at the age of ninety-seven, proving she’s still “a pianist with something substantial to say.”

This segment originally aired on The Big Broadcast on January 12, 2025.

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Big Broadcast Bites presents curated clips from WAMU’s long-running radio program, The Big Broadcast. Hosted by Murray Horwitz and produced by Jill Ahrold Bailey, these shorter selections offer quick listens, featuring golden age of radio audio and historical recordings that connect the past to today’s listeners.

The Big Broadcast is WAMU’s longest-running program. The show features a collection of  radio from the golden age, the 30s, 40s, and 50s, hosted by Tony-Award winning playwright, lyricist and director Murray Horwitz.