February is the Month of Chopin! Scholars still have yet to decide on which was Chopin's real birthdate-- February 22 or March 1, 1810. Leave it to Warsaw's musical innovators at NOWY SWIAT MUZYKI to create an EIGHT day festival called CHOPIN BIRTHDAY CONCERTS (at ulica Nowy Swiat 63 in Warsaw). This is the 8th edition of this marvelous event featuring all-day programming. While I have been invited to perform at this festival before, this is the first year that it has been possible for me to go. I am thrilled and practicing a lot! I am honored and excited to be performing 4 different concerts in the 10 days I am there. In addition, my documentary film REMEMBERING FREDERIC: The Genius of Chopin will be screened, and I will be giving a workshop for pianists. So, if you are in Warsaw, please stop by. All concerts are free. If you can't make it to Poland, come see REMEMBERING FREDERIC: A Musical Conversation Between Chopin and George Sand on Friday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Olde Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, South Carolina, sponsored by Lancaster Cultural Arts Center for free.
Here's wishing you a wonderful February and please try to listen to some Chopin! All the best, Pam
Below is the schedule:
Thursday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. REMEMBERING FREDERIC: A Musical Conversation Between Chopin and George Sand. One-woman show written and performed by Pamela Howland, is both a theatre and concert performance in English (Polish translations available). 75 minutes
Saturday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m. Nocturnal Concert featuring music of Chopin, The Beatles, and American composers Joplin, Gershwin, and others. 45 minute concert.
Sunday, February 26 at 9:00 p.m. Jazz Concert featuring Pamela Howland and Stan Breckenridge Duo featuring their four-hand piano, and piano and vocal selections. 30 minutes, to be followed by the Stan Breckenridge Trio.
Monday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. Chopin Meets The Beatles: Songs of Love, Loss, and Longing. Howland’s innovative pairing of favorite Chopin masterworks with her own Chopin-inspired Beatles arrangements. 45 minutes, sponsored by the Chopin Society.