Dear Friends,
During this complicated time, music becomes a particularly powerful form of solace. As the pandemic restrictions are becoming less rigorous, I am relieved to return to the concert stage. There are two events taking place in New York City next week that I would like to bring to your attention:
May 2, 2022, 7:30 PM
Conservatoire Américain de Fontainebleau Centennial Celebration Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center
As a student, I had the good fortune of participating in two Summer sessions of the Conservatoire Américain de Fontainebleau, winning the coveted Prix du piano. The experience of making music in the beautiful setting of the historic Chateau de Fontainebleau was very intense, unforgettable, and truly formative for me. I am thrilled to participate in the celebration of the rich Fontainebleau tradition by delivering two premiers: U.S. Premiere of Fantaisie: Hommage à Chopin for Clarinet, Piano and Orchestra by Charles Fox (the composer of the Grammy Award-winning song "Killing Me Softly") and the World premiere of Fox's Variation on the Theme of Nadia Boulanger, for piano solo. For ticket information click here.
May 6 , 2022, 6:30 PM United for Peace, Concert in Solidarity with Ukraine
St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University
Thinking of the people of Ukraine, who so suddenly and unexpectedly became separated from everything they held dear, to become refugees, I am organizing this concert in my capacity of the Director of Columbia University's Music Performance Program. The beautiful and meditative program features the MPP faculty artists. All proceeds from suggested donations will be forwarded to Caritas Poland, providing food, shelter, and psychological support to the refugees from Ukraine. For more information click here.
One cannot take anything for granted these days, but if all goes as planned, I will be returning to Reid Hall in Paris this Summer, to teach the Columbia University intensive session of Art and Music Humanities with my distinguished colleague, Prof. Robert E. Harrist, Jr. of Columbia's Department of Art History. I have missed this experience terribly throughout the pandemic. It has become a lovely tradition for me to also give a solo recital in Reid Hall. If you find yourself in the City of Light this Summer, save the date to join me for a solo recital on July 4th, 2022, at Reid Hall, Columbia Global Center Paris. More information will be posted shortly on my website.
Update: Since my last newsletter, the six-part lecture on the keyboard music of J.S. Bach on tonebase has become available. tonebase is a company democratizing access to the highest-quality music education, and I am honored to join its roster of pianists as legendary as Garrick Ohlsson, Jerome Lowenthal, Ursula Oppens, and Leon Fleischer.
Hoping you are all staying well and safe, I send my warm wishes.
Stay in touch,
Magdalena
