The Forgotten and Familiar Chopin February 21, 2010

The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College presents "The Forgotten and Familiar Chopin" in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Frédéric François Chopin. Produced by Great Music for a Great City, "The Forgotten and Familiar Chopin" will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010 beginning at 5pm at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue, NYC. Admission is FREE and reservations are requested at 212-237-8220.

Celebrated American pianists Claude Frank, Jerome Lowenthal and Byron Janis will be featured participants along with pianists they have mentored including Jeewon Park, Michael Fennelly and William Hobbs.

Highlighting the unknown Chopin, Metropolitan Opera soprano Edyta Kulzak will perform selected Polish songs including "The Maiden’s Wish"; New York City Opera baritone Peter Castaldi and soprano Leanne Gonzalez-Singer will perform selected works from Chopin’s opus 74; cellist Edward Aaron will perform The "Polonaise Brilliant"; two of Chopin’s Mazurkas transcribed by his friend Pauline Viradot will be performed by mezzo-soprano Camille Zamora. Liszt’s transcriptions of "The Maiden’s Wish" will be played by pianist Michael Feenelly. Chopin’s "B Flat Minor Sonata" will be performed by Jerome Lowenthal while Claude Frank will present a group of "Nocturnes". "Ballade No. 1" will be performed by Jeewon Park and "Ballade No. 4" will be performed by William Hobbs. The audience will also be treated to selected waltzes and etudes.

The film, "Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin: A Voyage With Byron Janis", will be screened to open the celebration followed by a brief conversation with Byron Janis. The film details major milestones in Chopin’s life in Paris, Majorca and Nohant and includes legendary performances by Mr. Janis.

5:00pm - Film Screening – "Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin: A Voyage With Byron Janis"
6:30pm - Concert