In the current New Yorker, Mark Singer, one of my favorite writers, describes the “incredible career” of the late Joyce Hatto, a British pianist. According to her husband, she had a stillborn twin brother. Could that brother have in fact lived, and become Ranjit Chandra, a Canadian immunologist?
Consider the similarities:
1. Accolades. Toward the end of her life, Hatto released dozens of recordings that elicited great praise. “One of the greatest pianists I have ever heard,” said one critic. Chandra was awarded the Order of Canada, the country’s highest honor.
2. Man of mystery. Hatto recorded several concertos with Rene Kohler and the National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra but “there was no mention of him or the orchestra in any reference book,” according to Singer. Saul Sternberg and I could not locate Amrit L. Jain, author of a study with the same results as one of Chandra’s studies. Nor could we locate his institution (”Medical Clinic and Nursing Home”).
3. One strange fact after another. Many of Hatto’s performances were identical or almost identical to performances by others. As Saul Sternberg, Ken Carpenter, and I examined Chandra’s papers, we discovered many unlikely or impossible details. Our letters to editors about this are here and here.
More about Chandra, who has sued the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) over its documentary about him. Part 1 of that documentary, for which Chris O’Neill-Yates won a journalism award.
It is not true. I have personal knowledge. Dr. Chandra has no twin brother.