International Chopin Festival Celebrates 200th Anniversary of Legendary Composer’s Birth

Yamaha artist Olga Kern
Pianist Kevin Kenner

NEW YORK CITY — To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin's birth, The Chopin Society of New York presents the International Chopin Festival. Yamaha Artist Services is pleased to sponsor the five-night event, which will feature performances from some of the world's top classical musicians at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall and Yamaha's Midtown Piano Salon.

The first event will take place on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Alice Tully Hall. Hosted by Bruce Adolphe, The Academia Orchestra will present an All-Chopin Program. Featured performers include celebrated Yamaha Artist Olga Kern, who will present Chopin's Piano concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 on a Yamaha CFX hand-built concert grand piano. Acclaimed pianist Kevin Kenner will perform Chopin's Piano concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21. The renowned Jerzy Stryniak will play Andante Spiniato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22. Tickets ($95, $75, $45) are available at the Alice Tully Hall Box Office, by calling CenterCharge at 212-721-6500 or at www.lincolncenter.org.

On Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm at the Yamaha Piano Salon, Kevin Kenner will perform 4 Ballades: F minor, Op. 52, G minor, Op. 23, F Major, Op. 38 and A-Flat Major, Op.47 on the Yamaha CFX grand piano. Mezzo-Soprano Alicja Wegorzewska and pianist Artur Jaron will also perform a selection of Chopin's Songs. Tickets ($25) are available through The Chopin Society of New York at 212-717-1231.

On Friday, December 17, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, Chopin Society member pianists including Jerzy Stryniak, Anna Organiszczak and Slawomir Wilk will perform the works of Chopin, as well as Jazz Variations on Chopin and original music. Tickets ($45, $25) are available at Carnegie Hall's Box Office, 212-247-7800 or at www.carnegiehall.org.

Additional information and tickets for all events are available through the Chopin Society of New York at 212-717-7131 or www.chopinsocietyny.org.

Alice Tully Hall is located at 1941 Broadway in New York City. The Yamaha Piano Salon is located at 689 Fifth Ave. (3rd Floor) in New York City. Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street in New York City.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/press.