Spring 2006 The semi-annual publication of the Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. Officers & Directors cÉÄÉÇt|áx Blanka A. Rosenstiel — Founder & President Spring 2006 Olga Melin — Vice President Volume XV—Number 1 Kris Lewicki — Treasurer Adam Aleksander Wegrzynek — Artistic Advisor Jadwiga “Viga” Gewert — Executive Director Directors Table of Contents Helen Belvin, George Berberian, Mercedes Ferré, Peter Goodrich, Dr. Tomasz A. Grabczak, Dr. William Hipp, Harriet Irsay, Isabel Leibowitz, Mack McCray, Message from the Founder and President 2 Edmund Sadowski, Stan Zielinski Regional Council Contacts 3 International Artistic Advisory Council Agustin Anievas, Martha Argerich, Emanuel Ax, Jeffrey N. Babcock, John Bayless, Florida Chopin Council 4 Luiz Fernando Benedini, John Corigliano, Ivan Davis, Christopher T. Dunworth, Charles Dutoit, Marian Filar, Nelson Freire, Bruno Leonardo Gelber, Gary Graff- Northwest Chopin Council 5 man, Horacio Gutierrez, Leonid Hambro, Marta Istomin, Byron Janis, James Judd, Cyprien Katsaris, Zoltan Koscis, Jacob Lateiner, Garrick Ohlsson, Paloma San Francisco Chopin Council 6-7 O’Shea, Daniel Pollack, Maurizio Pollini, Abbey Simon, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Michael Tilson Thomas, Charles Wadsworth, Susan Wadsworth, Krystian My Warsaw Impressions 8-9 Zimerman 2006-2007 Event Schedule 10-11 Editorial: Polonaise is published semi-annually by the Frederick Chopin, The Poet of Sound 12-14 Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33141 Memories of 2005-2006 16 Editorial Office: 305-868-0624 • 305-865-5150 (Fax) E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.chopin.org Scholarship Program 17-18 Publisher: Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel Executive Editor: Jadwiga Gewert CDs and DVDs 19 Graphic Layout: William Mann Other Contributors: Walter Beaman, Helen Belvin, George Berberian, Gosia Dar- Become a Donor 20 - 21 win, Bess Kronowitz, Mack McCray, Howard Na. Photos: Jadwiga Gewert, Juliusz Multarzynski, Charles Allen Smith. Copyright © 2006 Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed by Dynacolor Graphics, Inc. 1 Message from the Founder and President Blanka A. Rosenstiel The Chopin Foundation in Miami has intensified its coopera- Personal cultivation begins with poetry, is tion with Chopin Societies across strengthened by rules of decorum and is per- the United States. We hope to con- fected by music. tinue this collaboration. We all Confucius serve the same idea of “perfecting personal cultivation” through the Dear Friends and Supporters of the beauty of Chopin’s music. Chopin Foundation of the U.S.: My dear friends and sup- porters, please continue helping us A year has already passed since to carry out our mission of assisting our Seventh National Chopin Piano young outstanding talents and of Competition, and memories from the promoting music among the public. Warsaw Competition are fading away - I would like to take this but we are busy as usual. Our finalists opportunity to express my most sin- have been performing around the country, and our events for the cere wishes to Bess Kronowitz. She next season are already booked. Our concert programs grow, as has been very instrumental on our you can see inside the magazine. We will present young out- Florida Chopin Council’ Board for standing musicians from the United States and abroad; and for the almost twenty years, and she just first time we will introduce a trio during our Free Concert Series celebrated her ninety-fifth birthday! in Florida! This season we will also launch a Cultural Exchange Dear Bessie, your dedication in Program with the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw - a pro- helping young American pianists is gram that has been long anticipated. Young artists need more in- greatly appreciated. Your spirit, ternational exposure - on both sides of the Ocean - and we are your enthusiasm and your energy Bess Kronowitz happy to help them. are still needed here – please be During the last season the Chopin Foundation opened and healthy and active for many years to come! Happy Birthday, closed the New York Chopin Council. Legal restrictions during Bessie! registration of the new chapter made President Jerzy Stryjniak and the Board of Directors change their minds. They decided to start an independent organization with its own tax exempt num- ber. We wish the new Chopin Society of New York a bright and successful future! 2 The Regional Councils For more information on the activities, membership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Regional Councils of the Chopin Foundation of the Unites States directly. Florida Chopin Council San Francisco Chopin Council Northwest Chopin Council George Berberian Mack McCray Helen Belvin, President President President Ivona Kaminska, Secretary 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117 2123 26th Avenue Northwest Chopin Festival Miami, FL 33141 San Francisco, CA 94116 4957 Lakemont Blvd. SE, Suite C-4, #259 305-868-0624 415-753-5334 Bellevue, WA 98006 305-865-5150 425-829-1229 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The Regional Councils are branches of the Foundation, and operate under the Foundation’s charter, by-laws and IRS Tax-exemption number. Their purpose is to carry out the Foundation’s objectives at the regional levels. They plan membership drives, fundraising events, con- certs, and other special events. They retain the proceeds which they generate from fundraising and membership for their operating budget and transfer the remaining funds to help support the Foundation’s national activities. In turn, the Foundation offers assistance to the councils in help- ing them establish their organization, assisting with artists, promotional materials, etc. We are always open to new opportunities to expand our mission into new regions. If you would like to consider creating a regional council in your city, or have an idea for a collaboration, contact our Miami offices. The Chopin Foundation of the US 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117 Miami, Florida 33141 (305) 868-0624 [email protected] www.chopin.org 3 Florida Chopin Council th This season was designed to present the Our Gala Dinner Dance, held on March 10 at the Hotel finalists of our 2005 National Chopin Piano Com- Inter-Continental, honored the Founder and President of the Chopin petition. Igor Lovchinsky in November and How- Foundation, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, whose vision and enthusiasm ard Na in January mesmerized us all with their stu- have guided the Foundation and its Regional Councils since 1977. pendous performances. Sean Kennard will con- Before the dinner we enjoyed an outstanding concert by Ning An, clude this year’s Membership Series on May 21st. the first prize winner of our 2000 National Chopin Piano Competi- tion. Dancing concluded that charming event designed to raise George Berberian funds for continuous support of young talented American pianists. President George Berberian From November Concert 2005, L-R: Bess Kronowitz, Jadwiga Gewert, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel and Ning An Igor Lovchinsky, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel and Margareta DeGea Save The Dates: Membership Musicales Season 2006-2007 November 19, 2006 January 7, 2007 May 6, 2007 Events are FREE for members of the Chopin Council of Florida. All concerts include an elegant post-concert reception with the artists. March 10, 2007 Annual Gala For more information call (305) 868-0624 or e-mail [email protected] From January Concert 2006, L-R: George Berberian, Rose Kruszewski, Howard Na, and Pauline Sholk 4 Northwest Chopin Council The 2005-06 season has been a time of We are deeply grateful for the solid foundation of the N.W. Council challenging transition for the Northwest Coun- established by our past President Dr. Steven Lagerberg. We are de- cil since the resignation of our incomparable lighted that Alison Bell, Andrew Biles, Judy Baker, Jennifer Bow- and beloved founder, Dr. Steven Lagerberg. man, Jim Miles and Krystof Poraj-Kuczewski continue actively serv- We are able to present successfully the ing on the Board and we welcome our new Treasurer, Mary Chandler 2006 Chopin Festival, which received acco- and new Board members Graziella Palumbo, David Beeman, Hao lades from many quarters. Students ages 10-18 Zhang and Jin-Hwa Chon. Each one of these dedicated people con- competed on February 4, at the Sherman Clay tributes a unique talent and is key to the ongoing success of the an- Co. in Seattle and at the adjacent Mayflower nual N.W. Chopin Festival. It has been a special pleasure and privi- Helen Belvin Hotel. On February 11, twelve finalists per- lege to work with such an outstanding Board of Directors. President formed at the historic Polish Home. The young pianists' high level of performance and under- Helen Belvin standing of the Chopinesque style surprised the jurors and delighted the enthusiastic audience. The venue was ideal for the concert, remi- Winners of the 2006 Chopin Festival: niscent of salons where Chopin performed. The Polish Home Women's Auxiliary generously donated $500 for scholarships for the winners. We were exceedingly fortunate to engage two highly re- garded jurors, Dr. Rachelle McCabe, well known concert pianist and professor of Music at Oregon State University and Dr. Milica Jelaca Jovanovic, solo recitalist, chamber musician and Assistant Professor of Piano at Western Washington University. The grand finale of the 2006 NW Chopin Festival was a dynamic and captivating pro bono master class given by Craig Sheppard, internationally