NEWSLETTER

September 2005 www.chopinatlanta.org Vol. I, No. 3

INSIDE A Chopin Society of Atlanta Exclusive Interview: Upcoming Events 1 Sponsorship Levels 2 Ingrid Fliter, Second Prize Winner at the Fourteenth International Chopin Piano Competition Winners 2 Competition in Warsaw, is coming to Atlanta to perform a Chopin recital opening the 15th International Chopin 2005-2006 season. Piano Competition 3 Chopin Fun Fact 4 An interview by Bożena U. Zaremba

You were already an accomplished pianist before you Upcoming Events: participated in the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, in 2000. What role did the Chopin Recital Second Prize at the Competition play in your career? Ingrid Fliter, piano Being appreciated by such a prominent jury gave me great October 15, 2005 7:30 pm encouragement and enthusiasm. The Chopin competition Roswell Cultural Arts Center also helped me enlarge my musical horizons. After the competition my life changed a lot. My engagements Chopin Recital increased significantly and, with such an important prize, so Stanisław Drzewiecki, piano did the responsibility. The growth of an artist never ends, March 19, 2006 7:30 pm and the experience at the competition and what came after Roswell Cultural Arts Center it was of a big importance in this process. Annual Fundraising Event You have yourself served as a jury member at other international piano competitions. Chopin Society Member How does it feel to be on the “other side”? Exclusive It was harder than expected. On the one hand I feel relieved because my performance is no Spring 2006 longer an object of discussion, but on the other hand I realize how complex and difficult the judgment of the jury is, and how big a responsibility one has in such a position. I put myself Chopin’s Life & Work in the place of participants, and I understand their worries and stress and try to "forgive" Third Annual Competition minor mistakes as much as possible. In any case, all this together has been of course a for Atlanta Youth great lesson for me. Fall 2006 What do you especially appreciate in Chopin’s music?

I grew up playing Chopin's music, and it made me discover the world of beauty and the importance of finding your own voice to sing, using the piano. Chopin's music is a powerful To become a member, join online at www.chopinatlanta.org or instrument of human communication. That's one of the reasons why his music is so much call 770.663.0620. beloved all over the world. The balance between the romantic expression and his classical

Tickets for all events are available soul is a difficult aspect to achieve when you play his music, and it is one of the most by calling 770.641.1260. Prices: fascinating. His music is pure and transparent and still so deeply emotional and heart $20/$15 Seniors/Students, $25/$20 rending. Once “inhaled,” its contagious influence affects you forever. regular. Discover, Visa, Mastercard What are your favorite pieces by Chopin? and American Express. Definitely Ballade No.4 and the second movement of the Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor. Watch for other Member Only When I play the first one, I have the impression of making a trip into the deepness of a Events and Ticket Discounts online. human soul and life; the fragility and the passion are continuously embracing themselves,

dragging you into the ocean of desperation. The second, with its enchanting atmosphere, is

one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. It is impossible not to be touched by it.

Editorial Staff: * * * Ingrid Fliter was born in 1973 in , where she completed her studies at the National Conservatoire. Dorota Lato, President, After having won several national competitions, she played her orchestra debut in Teatro Colon at the age of 16 Chopin Society of Atlanta and launched her solo career. In 1994 she won First Prize and the Special Prize at the International Competition for

Editor Mary Montgomery Piano and Orchestra “Citta di Cantu” in Italy and in 1998 was prizewinner of the “Ferruccio Busoni” Competition in Assistant Editor Bożena Zaremba Bolzano, Italy. She continued her studies at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, Germany, and in 2000 she Proofreader Mim Eisenberg graduated from the Music Academy “Incontri Col Maestro” in Imola, Italy. In 2000 she won the Second Prize and Silver Medal at the Fourteenth International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. She has performed in important The Chopin Society of Atlanta worldwide concert halls, including Kennedy Center in Washington and Lincoln Center in New York. She has Newsletter is published four times a participated in “The World Pianist Series,” side by side with such celebrated pianists as Maurizio Pollini and Martha year. Please check our website for Argerich. She has performed with many renowned orchestras and has collaborated with distinguished conductors. more information. Her future engagements will take her on concert tours to Holland, Poland, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Hungary, Austria, Germany, , and the United States. Biographical note based on www.ingridfliter.com. - 1 - The Chopin Society of Atlanta Supports the Arts and Education Public Broadcasting Atlanta (WABE, from Society members, but also from Platinum - $2000 and up 90.1 FM), Alliance Francaise of metropolitan Atlanta classical music 4 tickets for each concert Atlanta, and the Goethe Institute of lovers. Many of our concerts were Meeting with the featured artists Autographed CD with music of the featured artist Atlanta are proud to support the accompanied by related art exhibitions. Invitation for the reception after each concert Chopin Society of Atlanta’s sixth Name will be displayed in promotional materials season opening concert on October All concerts organized by the Chopin and mentioned prior to the concert

15th (see page 1). Society of Atlanta have been sold out. However, we are especially proud of Gold - $1000 4 tickets for each concert The Chopin Society of Atlanta, our promotion of education through Invitation for the reception after each concert established in December of 2000, is a music and our work with youth and Name will be displayed in promotional materials not-for-profit organization devoted to children. We offer free-of-charge and mentioned prior to the concert promoting music, culture and the arts tickets to music students for all our Silver - $500 in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Its concerts and hold annual competitions 2 tickets for each concert goal is to generate understanding and devoted Chopin’s life and work, which Invitation for the reception after each concert appreciation of Frederick Chopin’s are open to Atlanta youth. The Third Name will be displayed in promotional materials and mentioned prior to the concert music, and it is dedicated to advancing Annual Competition will be held in the and promoting the performance of fall of 2006. Our future plans, besides Friend - $100 Chopin’s music by talented young the Ingrid Fliter concert on October 15, 2 tickets for one concert Name will be displayed in promotional materials musicians. 2005, include a concert on March 19, and mentioned prior to the concert 2006, by Stanisław Drzewiecki, a The Chopin Society of Atlanta young prodigy, and winner of Chopin Society membership - $20 Quarterly newsletter organizes “mostly Chopin” concerts numerous international competitions. that are usually held at the Cultural Advanced notice of all concerts and events Access to exclusive member only events and Arts Center in Roswell, Georgia. We cordially invite you to become discounts Internationally renowned pianists such corporate and individual sponsors for All above sponsors also receive membership as Ilya Itin, Piotr Folkert, Adam our 2005-2006 season and thereby benefits.

Makowicz, and Mei-Ting Sun have promote the Chopin Society’s work. For additional information, please performed at those concerts, which Sponsorships are available at the contact the Chopin Society of Atlanta have been met with acclaim not only following levels: at 770-663-0620 or [email protected]

Congratulations to the Chopin’s Life and Work Competition Winners

It is a great pleasure to congratulate recognize Chopin’s style and homeland although he never returned those students who participated this characteristic forms of music, such as after 1830. I like how his music is soft year in the Second Annual mazurkas and polonaises. Students and delicate....” (Katherine Chew). Competition, “Chopin’s Life and Work,” expressed their emotions and More than 60 students participated in for Atlanta youth. The competition took sensitivity to the beauty of Chopin’s the competition. place on April 23, and was This year’s winners are as follows: organized by Chopin Society of 1st Prize Atlanta in cooperation with the Ayan Das, 7- to 10-year-olds Polish Saturday School. Students Maiya Moncino, 11- to 14-year-olds between the ages of 7 to 15 were Maya Nori, Polish School divided into three different groups: Natasha Nori, Polish School in English, two age groups, 7-10 2nd Prize and 11-14; and in Polish, one Surya Dutta, 7- to 10-year-olds group. Students were required to Rohan Iyer, 7- to 10-year-olds recognize Chopin’s music, answer Emma Denk, 7- to 10-year-olds test questions about Chopin’s work Katherine Chew*, 11- to 14-year- and life, and write an essay. The olds questions were prepared by Maria Vincent Bai, 11- to 14-year-olds Archetto, Professor of Music at Jola Ksiazczyk, Polish School Oxford College of Emory Photo: Elżbieta Gűrtler-Krawczyńska Paulina Kowalska, Polish School

University. *2004 Winner

The competition enabled students to music. One of the students wrote: “I like the way his music reflects a wide The winners were announced at the show knowledge about Chopin not only Chopin Society’s concert on May 14, as a pianist and composer but also as range of feelings. His music displays the rhythms and melodies of his 2005, when Adam Makowicz and a loving and suffering man. Students Piotr Folkert performed a dual recital homeland, showing his loyalty to his demonstrated that they could easily entitled “Reflections on Chopin.”

continued on page 4 - 2 - Summer Concert Review Members of the Chopin Society his jazz interpretation of the same and precision of an artist who of Atlanta enjoyed two memorable piece, both artists creating an understands the lyrical value as well as musical events at the beginning of unconstrained and harmonious the spontaneity of those Polish summer 2005. In May and June, Adam atmosphere with their complementary compositions. He will represent the Makowicz, a world rh ythm s and United States at the 15th International -renowned Polish styles, to the Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw jazz pianist, and delight of the this October. We wish him good luck.

Mei-Ting Sun, enthusiastic Joanna Babinska recipient of the audience. John Translated by Lila Piechocki first prize of the Lemley from American Piano public radio Competition, were station WABE o u r g u e s t (90.1 FM) hosted performers here in the evening. Atlanta, along with On June our own Piotr 5, St. James Folkert. Piotr Folkert and Adam Makowicz United Methodist On May 15, Photo: Elżbieta Gűrtler-Krawczyńska Church hosted a concert by Adam Makowicz and Piotr Folkert Mei-Ting Sun, a 24-year-old pianist performed at an unforgettable concert who has played in such concert entitled Reflections on Chopin, which venues as Alice Tully Hall in New York took place at the St. James United City. Mei-Ting Sun and Ning An, winners of the Methodist Church. First Mr. Folkert Mr. Mei-Ting Sun played National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami, in 2005 and 2000, respectively played Chopin’s music in its original Chopin’s music with the rare sensitivity Photo: Derek Lukaschus version, and then Mr. Makowicz played

rd On September 23 the thrill of musicians. The jury has the right to the 15th International Frederick The Thrill and the Rules change the way prizes are awarded, Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and they may choose not to award will start with the Preliminary Round. memory. The Preliminary Round specific prizes, as they did, for The main part of the competition won’t program is to include two etudes and a example, in 1990 and 1995 by not start until October 2nd, but almost 350 piece from a mandatory list drawn by awarding the First Prize. All decisions participants who have registered must the participants two days prior to the made by the jury are final. already be very excited and anxious; performance. The main part of the Not more than 80 participants the competitive atmosphere can be competition consists of three stages. will advance to the main part of the nerve-wracking, and winning or not The program of Stage One is to include competition, and not more than 30 to winning a prize at such a prestigious (but is not limited to) two etudes, one Stage Two. The number of participants competition will dramatically affect their nocturne, a ballade, a waltz, and admitted to the Final Stage has been musical careers. But before it all begins op. 28. Performance time in increased to 12 this year, but only six it might be interesting to take an inside Stage One is limited to 40–45 minutes. top finalists will receive the title of view and get acquainted with selected The program of Stage Two must Laureate of the 15th International rules of the competition. include a full cycle of mazurkas, a Frederick Chopin Piano Competition. The Competition is open to polonaise, and a sonata. During the The winner of the First Prize and Gold pianists of all nationalities, born Final Stage, participants are to play one Medal will receive $25,000. There will between 1977-1988. At the time of of the concertos: in E minor op. 11 or in also be special prizes awarded by the registration all participants must submit F minor op. 21. While it is permitted to Chopin Society in Warsaw for the best extensive documentation, including a use the scores from all available performance of a polonaise, by the biographical note and photocopies of editions of Chopin's works, contestants Polish Radio for the best performance musical school diplomas, as well as two are recommended to use “The National of mazurkas, and by the Polish National letters of recommendation from Edition of the Complete Works of Philharmonic for the best performance renowned pianists. Besides the Fryderyk Chopin” edited by Jan Ekier, a of a concerto. The competition will be registration fee of $150, the participants distinguished pianist, composer, crowned with a recital by the bear all travel costs. The organizers professor at Music Academy in prizewinners. An unexcused absence cover the cost of accommodation only Warsaw, prizewinner at the 3rd from that concert will result in forfeiting for those participants who advance to International Chopin Piano Competition the prize money. the main part of the competition. All in 1937, and a frequent member of its Personally, I am looking contestants are provided with grand jury. forward to the thrill, especially because Each contestant’s performance pianos for practice. it comes only every five years. – technique and artistic merit – will be The demanding program must Bożena U. Zaremba include the works of Frederick Chopin evaluated by a jury composed of outstanding Polish and international Based on the competition’s official website: exclusively and must be played from www.konkurs.chopin.pl - 3 - continued from page 2 following individuals: Michelle name of this remarkable Polish pianist The concert was hosted by John Dupourqe, Elżbieta and Krzysztof and composer will not be forgotten. Lemley, a radio presenter from public Krawczyński, Barbara and Tolek They have helped remind us that the mu- radio station WABE, 90.1 FM. Award Leszczyński, Tatiana and Ken sic of Frederick Chopin knows no bor- levels, higher than last year, were as McDougal, Krystyna Prus and all ders and brings together people from follows: First Prize, $150 (all age those who prefer to remain different places, ethnic groups and back- groups); Second Prize, $50 (all age anonymous. grounds. It is his music that people have groups). Thank you to everyone who been enjoying throughout the years; yet it still has not lost its freshness, richness Special thanks to sponsors who participated in spreading knowledge about Chopin’s life and work, and to and beauty. founded the awards, especially to the Beata Olszok the young people, thanks to whom the Chopin Fun Fact... A quote from Anton Rubinstein—

‘The piano bard, the piano rhapsodist, the piano mind, the piano soul is Chopin. Tragic, romantic, lyric, dramatic, fantastic, soulful, sweet, dreamy, brilliant, grand , simple, all possible expressions are found in his compositions and all are sung by him upon his instrument.’

~Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894)

A Special Thank You to The Chopin Society of Atlanta Sponsors and Supporters: Alliance Francaise d’Atlanta, Art and Piano, Atlanta Strings, Goethe Institute of Atlanta, Polish Club of Atlanta, Public Broadcasting of Atlanta - WABE 90.1 FM, The Southern Center for International Studies

Above $5000 $500 - $999 $100-$499 Up to $99 Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Dupourque Róza and Luba Adamczyk Dorota Lato Halina Szlam Bell South Linkage Solutions Grażyna and Krzysztof Krawczyński Mary and Lawrence Montgomery Barbara and Tolek Leszczyński Anna Pare Tatiana and Ken MacDougall Valve Solutions Krystyna Prus

Chopin Society of Atlanta 540 Morton Mill Court Alpharetta, GA 30022 www.chopinatlanta.com

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