Spring 2005 7th National Chopin Competition Issue

The semi-annual publication of the Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc.

Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc.

Officers & Directors Blanka A. Rosenstiel — Founder & President Olga Melin — Vice President Kris Lewicki — Treasurer

Hanna Saxon — Past President

Adam Aleksander Wegrzynek — Artistic Advisor

Jadwiga “Viga” Gewert — Executive Director

Directors George Berberian, Mercedes Ferré, Peter Goodrich, Dr. Tomasz A. Grabczak, Dr. William Hipp, Harriet Irsay, Dr. Gera Kent, Malgorzata Kossakowska, Dr. Steven Lagerberg, Andrea Lippen, Edmund Sadowski, Jerzy Stryjniak.

International Artistic Advisory Council Agustin Anievas, Martha Argerich, Emanuel Ax, Jeffrey N. Babcock, John Bayless, Luiz Fernando Benedini, John Corigliano, Ivan Davis, Christopher T. Dunworth, Charles Dutoit, Marian Filar, Nelson Freire, Bruno Leonardo Gelber, Gary Graff-man, Horacio Gutierrez, Leonid Hambro, Marta Istomin, Byron Janis, James Judd, Cyprien Katsaris, Zoltan Koscis, Jacob Lateiner, Garrick Ohlsson, Paloma O’Shea, Daniel Pollack, Maurizio Pollini, Harold Schonberg, Abbey Simon, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Michael Tilson Thomas, Charles Wadsworth, Susan Wadsworth, Krystian Zimerman

Editorial: Polonaise is published semi-annually by the Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33141 Editorial Office: 305-868-0624 • 305-865-5150 (Fax) E-mail: info@chopin.org • Website: www.chopin.org

Publisher: Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel Executive Editor: Jadwiga Gewert Cooperating editor: William Mann Other Contributors: Steven Lagerberg, Bess Kronowitz, Walter Beaman, Gosia Kossakowska, Jerzy Stryjniak.

Photos: Jadwiga Gewert, Steven Lagerberg, Charles Allan Smith, Sir Ron Wether-ington, Copyright © 2005 Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed by Dynacolor Graphics, Inc.

cÉÄÉÇt|áx Spring 2005

Volume XIV—Number 1

Table of Contents Message from the Founder and President 1 Message from the Competition Director 2 Competition Winners 3 1st Prize Winner Concert Tour 4 Competition Jury 5 Competition Contestants 6-7 Competition Sponsor Thanks 8-9 Competition Host Families 10 Competition Event Photos 11 Regional Council Contacts 12 Regional Council Activities 13-15 Upcoming Chopin Foundation Events 16 Scholarship Rules and Application 17-18 CD’s to Support the Cause 19 Become a Donor 20-21

1

Message from the Founder and President Blanka A. Rosensteil

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Chopin Foundation of the U.S.: The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition was a great success! Not only was the level of the contestants impressively high, and the media cover-age of the event very good, but -- what brings us the greatest satisfaction -- the attendance at the Competition sessions and the Grand Finale was fantastic! We are very happy that music lovers from as

far as California, Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, and from all over Florida, came to Mi-ami to celebrate with us this special event that happens only every five years.

Our First Prize Winner, Mei-Ting Sun, has already started his national concert tour. Before going to Warsaw, he will perform in New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Atlanta, El Paso, New York, Miami and Washington, D.C. All four top winners will perform a farewell concert at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, D.C., on September 17th before leaving for Warsaw to take part in the XIV International Chopin Piano Competition. A group of Chopin music lovers will follow them to Poland to witness the event, regarded as the most prestigious music competition in the world. And we will keep our fingers crossed for our four best American “Chopinists” – we know that they will play their best!

“Music produces a pleasure the world cannot do without.” Confucius

The Chopin Foundation is resuming now its regular ac-tivities, such as our Scholarship Program, Free Concert Series in South Florida, etc., and planning for … the Eight National Cho-pin Piano Competition in the year 2010!

I am happy to announce that the New York Chopin Council is reorganizing under the new leadership of Jerzy Stry-jniak, internationally renowned pianist of Polish descent, who will soon present his very ambitious program to spread the music of Frederick Chopin among New York audiences. We wish him good luck and hope that many New Yorkers will join the Chopin Foundation’s membership and help us carry on our mission to keep classical music alive for generations to come.

I would like to thank all volunteers who were so instru-mental in all stages of the Competition, the host families, the ush-ers, drivers, caterers – all who selflessly devoted their time and effort to make this event a success. Thank you, Bess Kronowitz and George Berberian from the Florida Chopin Council for taking care of coordinating that impressive community involvement.

As always, my sincere gratitude to those who care for music in our lives and for young talents who so much deserve our support – thank you for your assistance. Please stay with us and help us continue our mission.

Have a good summer

2

Message from the 2005 Competition Director Jadwiga Gewert

Those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of the audience or who participated in any way during the 2005 National Chopin Piano Competition could not help but feel the excitement and elation as we watched the prizes being given out to our six fi-nalists.

First, we were moved by the music and then, in a different way, we were moved by witnessing a most difficult step in the life of a young performer. We shared with the winner, Mei-Ting Sun, his exhila-ration and joy, but now a time of hard work and preparation has supplanted the euphoria of winning the national competi-tion. All four top winners at Miami now carry our hopes for success in Warsaw. Now that the medals have been passed out, the checks cashed, and the media have moved on to other stories, we can reflect

on the process of the competition.

The competition itself is preceded by the young pianist’s decision on whether or not to compete. The teacher guides the stu-dent to make a decision whether performance is a possible career choice. At this point he must make a long term commitment to the preparations for the competition. This obligation may interfere with other goals that competitors may have. Many young artists are gifted in other areas such as science or mathematics. They possess the potential for outstanding careers in these other fields, and there-fore their choice takes on much greater significance than their audi-ence can appreciate. Those of us who get to know these people have been greatly impressed with their many and diverse talents.

Once the choice to compete is made and the applicants pass the selection, they come to compete live before the panel of care-fully selected jurors. The Jury is comprised of accomplished per-formers, educators and musicologists whose professional integrity has been proven by the high regard of their audiences and peers over the course of long exemplary careers. In some magical way the fruits of their combined careers transmit the culture of “performance” to the aspiring contestants.

And what are these elements that are combined in this cru-cible we call a piano competition? Beside technique, the spirit of the composer, true to the score, must be preserved by the performer. At the same time some personal interpretation must take place within the bounds of musicality so that one performance stands out from the rest. A performance must be a balance of the composer’s intentions and the performer’s reading of those intentions. On the practical side, a contestant must be a fast learner and have the abil-ity to work with a new conductor and orchestra and establish a mu-sical relationship in a short period of time. All of these qualities must exist plus the ability to balance calmness and excitement so that a piece of music may be conveyed with freshness and sponta-neity as if hearing it for the first time.

The final result was witnessed by a full theatre of enthusi-asts the evening of March 13. Our hopes for a future for classical music in America and our desire to see our winners’ careers prosper filled the air. We believe this competition brought out the best in every contestant; but this is not the end of the quest. This is only another learning experience along that long road that young per-formers must take through life. Our competition has enriched both audience and competitors alike. The First Prize Winner’s national concert tour provides an opportunity for all to judge how well our competition has worked!

The Winners of the 7th National Chopin Piano Competition Left to Right: Mei-Ting Sun, Igor Lovchinsky, Rachel Kudo, Sean Kennard, Howard Na, Esther Park

1st Prize - $18,000 plus a twenty City Concert Tour: Mei-Ting Sun 2nd Prize - $12,000: Rachel Kudo 3rd Prize - $8,000: Sean Kennard 4th Prize - $5,000: Esther Park Special Awards, Non-Medalists - $2,000: Igor Lovchinsky, Howard Na

Best Performance of a Mazurka - $1,000: Igor Lovchinsky Best Performance of a Polonaise - $1,000: Mei-Ting Sun Best Performance of a Concerto - $1,000: Mei-Ting Sun

In addition to their cash prizes, the top four prize winners are being sent, all-expenses paid,

to the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland in September.

And The Winners Are...

3

Mei-Ting Sun Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans. May 1, 2005 by Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (504)523-6530 Koerner Recital Hall, Vancouver May 7, 2005 presented by Vancouver Chopin Society Tickets (604) 321-4804 www.chopinsociety.org Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall May 8, 2005 in Benaroya Symphony Hall, Seattle, WA presented by Northwest Chopin Council (206) 381-1416 www.ChopinNW.org Academy of Arts, Honolulu May 13, 2005 presented in cooperation with the Honorary Consul of Poland to Hawaii (808) 593-9395; (808) 955-4488 www.honoluluacademy.org Old First Concert Series May 15, 2005 presented in cooperation with San Francisco Chopin Council (415) 474-1608

“Music Matters” Concert Series May 16, 2005 of the American Pianists Association, Indianapolis (317) 940-9945 Chopin Society of Atlanta June 5, 2005 (770) 663-0620 www.chopinatlanta.org Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, VA June 11, 2005 (540) 832-3824 Winners Series by Smithsonian June 12, 2005 Washington, DC 1:00 P.M. (202) 357-3030, $14-$20 www.residentassociates.org Carnegie/Weill Recital Hall, New York June 13, 2005 Tickets: (212) 956-4070, $25-$35 8:00 P.M. www.carnegiehall.org El Paso Chopin Festival September 3, 2005 Chamizal National Memorial Theater (915) 584-1595 www.elpaso-chopin.com University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall September 10, 2005 (305) 868-0624 www.chopin.org “On-To-Warsaw” - Four Top Winners September 17, 2005 presented by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the U.S., Washington, D.C. (202) 234-3800 x. 2165 The Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia FAU/University Theater, Boca Raton, FL December 18, 2005 (561) 488-5681

The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition 1st Prize Winner’s Concert Tour

4

The Competition Jury, Selection Committee, and Conductor of The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition

The Chopin Foundation would like to thank the most distinguished panel of internationally acclaimed pianists. They have not only concertized throughout the world,

they have also served the cause of young artists by giving their talent, time and judgment as jurors of many important competitions.

We’d also like to thank the

Florida International University Symphony Orchestra for their participation

5

Agustin Anievas Jury Chairman

Krystof Jablonski Gersende de Sabran

Kevin Kenner Susan Starr Janusz Olejniczak

Ruth Slenczynska-Kerr

Tatiana Shebanova

Tian Ying Adam Aleksander Selection Committee

Lucy Scarbrough Selection Committee

Joel Harrison Selection Committee

Tadeusz Strugala Conductor

Contestants of The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition

6

Christopher Armstrong

Born: 1986

Miami-Dade College

Sean Chen

Born: 1988

Oakland Park High

Andrew Eitel

Born: 1987

N. Carolina School of the Arts

Christopher Falzone

Born: 1985

Curtis Institute of Music

Samantha Fang

Born: 1988

San Francsico Conservatory of

Music

Laura Garritson

Born: 1979

Yale School of Music

Frank Huang

Born: 1984

Juilliard School

Sean Kennard

Born: 1984

Curtis Institute of Music

Christine Hye-Su Kim

Born: 1980

University of Southern California

Rachel Kudo

Born: 1987

Music Institute of Chicago

Contestants of The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition

7

Katherine Lee

Born: 1983

University of Southern California

Igor Lovchinsky

Born: 1984

Juilliard

Howard Na

Born: 1985

San Francisco Conservatory

Emi Nakajima

Born: 1977

Rutgers University

Melinda T. Lee

Born: 1978

Harvard University

Martha Locker

Born: 1978

Juilliard

Esther Park

Born: 1984

Juilliard

Elizabeth Pridgen

Born: 1979

Juilliard

Elizabeth Schumann

Born: 1981

Cleveland Institute of Music

Mei-Ting Sun

Born: 1981

Juilliard

Derric Tay

Born: 1986

Massachusetts Institute of technology

Joshua Wright

Born: 1987

The Waterford School

GRAND BENEFACTORS Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation Donald and B. Landon Carlin Dade Community Foundation Leszek Dydynski and Philip Dydynski, M.D. Florida Chopin Council Florman Family Foundation Harriet Irsay The Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners. Miami Salon Group The Rosenstiel Foundation Steinway & Sons Yamaha Pianos

BENEFACTORS American Council for Polish Culture American Express City of Coral Gables Marvin and Isabel Leibowitz Olga and David Melin Joseph & Ligia Wiegand

PATRONS Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Ferre Lenore Gaynor Drs. Claudia and Tomasz Grabczak Kaplan, Inc. Dr. Gera Kent Melissa Martin & Kristof Lewicki Martin and Doris Rosen The Miami Herald Dr. Irene Stosio de Rytel

To Those Who Care

The Chopin Foundation wishes to express its heart-felt gratitude to those individuals, foundations and organizations from both the public and private sectors for their generous support of the 7th National Chopin Piano Competition. Their generosity is helping to

make a difference in enabling us to mount this much-needed Competition for young American pianists.

8

Dr. Jan Stosio University of Miami Phillip & Patricia Frost School of Music Mr. and Mrs. Thom Wolek WLRN Public Radio and Television

SPONSORS Autopilot/AquaCal Barry University Configurations/Rufino Contreras Bruce & Laurie Davidson Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Grove by the Bay Edmund Sadowski

DONORS George A. Berberian Brooks Financial Advisory Group, Inc. Bubba Gump Seafood Company First Impression Graphics, Inc. Rosa-Rita Gonzalez La Loggia Courtyard Marriott MetroBank The Miami City Club Northern Trust Bank Publix Supermarkets Rachlin Cohen & Holtz Royal Palm Restaurant at Macy’s/Burdine’s Sylvia Sheldon & James Russell Snow’s Jewelers Sunday Afternoons of Music

FRIENDS

Alliance Francaise, Evelyn K. Axler, Lena Booth-McGinnis, James C. Butt, Frazel, Inc., Joyce & Allan Gassenheimer, Jeanette E. Golding, Richard J. Haft, Helene & Martin Kaplan, Susanne Kayyali, Sung Knowles, Dr. Idalia Lastra, Erna L. Mayer,

Doris Miller, Susan I. Noe, Anita Ricci, Henry King Stanford

Thanks To Our Supporters and Sponsors

9

Our Gracious Host Families are:

Dr. Richard and Pat Bohn

Bruce and Laurie Davidson

Mrs. Billie Diamond

Irwin and Neisa Fischer

Eileen Gately

Karen Gottlieb and Howard Scherker

Dr. Alana Grajewski

Dr. Jay and Fely Hess

Susan Hsieh

Carlheinz and Sigrid Huth

Steve and Mercedes Kessler

Marvin and Isabel Leibowitz

Dr. John and Marilyn McAuliffe

Nita Prieto-Maercks

Renata Ryan

Howard and Margery Sanford

Paul and Janique Siegel

Joseph and Ligia Wiegand

Atlee and Susan Wompler

May you have formed new friendships to last a lifetime

Some of our adoptive parents with their talented houseguests.

The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition Host Families

Our sincerest appreciation goes to the hosts who so graciously opened their homes and their hearts for our contestants. Their caring help was immeasurable in giving our young artists a feeling of welcome, support, security and new ‘family’.

10

Fond Memories of The Seventh National Chopin Piano Competition

11

The Jurors enjoy a lunch break at the Bubba Gump Seafood Company, one of

our several lunch donors.

Gene Lowe (Steinway), Tian Ying (Juror) and Stan Zielinsky (Yamaha) at

the cocktail event hosted by Lady Blanka Rosenstiel.

Christopher Bouchard, Consul General of France, and his wife Nathalie at the

Gala Dinner.

Eldris de la Torre, Ruth Schwartz, Vivian Waddell and Rosa-Rita Gonzalez

volunteer at the souvenir table .

Marvin & Isabel Leibowitz also enjoy Lady Blanka’s party.

Indiana Colts ‘Matriarch’ Harriet Irsay presents Mei-Ting Sun with his First

Prize check

Peter Goodrich (Steinway) and Bess Kronowitz (Florida Chopin Council) beam after a successful competition.

Volunteers and host families enjoy an Appreciation Luncheon at the Surf Club

on Miami Beach.

Mr. & Mrs. Cerveny and Constance and Philip Caswell 3rd

Celebrate the Victory

The Three Conductors. Lynn Luce (Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra), Maestro Strugala, & Lucy Scarbrough (El Paso

Chopin Festival)

Donald & B. Landon Carlin enjoy the “On-To-Warsaw” Gala at the Hotel

Inter-Continental.

Dean William Hipp of the U.M. Frost School of Music and his wife Frankie at

the Awards Ceremony.

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 George Berberian

President 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117

Miami, FL 33141 305-868-0624 305-865-5150

infor@chopin@org

San Francisco Chopin Council Gosia Kossakowska

President PO Box 292

Morage, CA 94556 415-474-2626 925-247-0894

415-474-2626 (Fax)

New York Chopin Council Jerzy Stryjniak

President c/o New York Conservatory of Music

321 East 69th Street New York, NY 10021

212-717-9590 nycm@verizon.net

Northwest Chopin Council Dr. Steve Lagerberg

President 98 Union Street, #1309

Seattle, WA 98101 206-381-1416

206-262-0799 (Fax) info@chopinNW.org

12

Florida Chopin Council

13

Events are FREE for members of the Chopin Council of Florida, $45.00 per concert for non-members. All concerts include an elegant post-concert reception with the artists. For more information call (305) 868-0624 or e-mail info@chopin.org

Membership Musicales

Spring Concert 2005 Alan Gampel - Pianist Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 4:00 PM

Season 2005-2006

Igor Lovchinsky Sunday, November 20, 2005

at 4:00 PM

Howard Na Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 4:00 PM

Sean Kennard Sunday, May 21, 2006

at 4:00 PM

The 7th National Chopin Piano Competition came to a close on March 13th with a very successful Gala late in the evening. A feeling of ‘well done’ enveloped all who participated in the plan-ning of this event. The Chopin Council of Florida in Miami happily assumes many responsibilities for this Gala and competition, and takes great pride in its success. Housing young artists – 22 artists this year – takes research and experience. It is important to determine that the Host Family can treat the artist like a member of the family and can accept the

fact that he or she will practice when they need to. Ten days is a long time to host, but for-tunately there are many people who are interested in the competition who offer their homes for Competition housing. Our task is to match the host family with the artist, and we take this very seriously so that everyone is comfortable. This year was no exception, and most hosts thought their artist was ‘the best’ – and will remain friends for years. Most hosts asked to be remembered and invited to host in the next Competition Another task is the staffing of the lobby of the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts during the Competition. We want to thank those volunteers who helped to keep un-seated patrons quiet during the Competition, so the competitors were not disturbed as they played, and who helped with the ticket and souvenir table. Thanks to our Council President, George Berberian who made sure that our Jurors and Competitors were transported on time, whenever and wherever they needed assistance. Thanks to Rosa-Rita Gonzalez for her help with the Competition Journal ad sales, and thanks to ALL of the Chopin Council members who pitched in whenever it was neces-sary. Especially, thanks to all of the media for all of the wonderful newspaper and radio advertisements and reviews!

Bess Kronowitz

Council Competition Coordinator

Northwest Chopin Council

The Northwest Council has been busy with the many events of our current sea-son. We are proud to report that after only three years the Northwest Chopin Festival has gained strong state-wide recognition and is now the largest piano competition in our area. Seventy five of our state’s best young pianists performed before two highly-esteemed adjudicators, Dr. Leo-nard Richter and Dr. Neal O’Doan, as well as packed audiences in this much-anticipated event held February 12th. We

were pleased to have our Festival events selected by a local television net-work for broadcast in our area.

The best of these pianists were selected to perform once again at our annual Prizewinners’ Concert held this year at the Polish Home in Seattle on February 19th. An award ceremony followed by a lovely reception made a satisfying finish to our festival season. Providing these talented young pian-ists this excellent opportunity to better understand and appreciate the music of Chopin remains one of the most highly-regarded goals of our Northwest Council.

All of our Festival participants received free passes to our next concert, “Fred Kronacher Illu-minates Chopin,” held February 27th at Benaroya Symphony Hall in Seattle.

Mr. Kronacher carried on the teaching tradition in the style of Leonard Bernstein and David Dubal in his enlightening and entertaining approach to assist-ing musicophiles in the greater understanding of classical music, specifically that of Frederic Chopin. Few can do what Mr. Kronacher does so well.

On March 12th, George Fiore, distinguished pi-anist, musicologist, and member of our Northwest Council, held a free Master Class for several promis-ing young pianists selected from our Festival.

Our season’s largest event was two concerts performed by the highly-acclaimed Northwest pianist, Craig Sheppard, as he joined the superb North-west Chamber Orchestra lead by Joseph Silverstein, in performing both of Chopin’s beloved concertos on April 9th and 10th, at Benaroya Hall. From our inception several years ago, it has always been a dream for us in the Northwest Council to someday be able to present this wonderful music - the

music that first introduced the genius of Chopin to the wider world – to our local audiences. Our dreams came true with these fine performances!

Concluding our season will be the presentation of the Prizewinner of the 7th National Chopin Piano Competition, Mei-Ting Sun, at a concert to be held on May 8th. We are all excited to hear this excit-ing young artist and help support him on the way to the International Competition in Warsaw later this year.

Musically yours, Steven Lagerberg, MD

14

Professor Neal O'Doan, Leonard Richter

From left to right. Christine Bronson, Jona-than Hung, Charles Lu, Ari Livne, Nyan Gade-palli, Charlie Albright, Christopher Lu, Davis Zhao, Jila Dabestani (hidden), Mark Pak, Becky Davis, Ellisa Freedman. Not pictured, Andrew Berstein.

Steven Lagerberg, Fred Kronacher

Mei-Ting Sun, Maestro Tadeusz Strugala

L-R: Judy Baker, Craig Sheppard, Steven Lagerberg,

Joseph Silverstein

New York Chopin Council

The Board of Directors of the Chopin Foundation would like to thank Mr. Jan Sporek for his efforts toward resuming the activi-ties of the New York Chopin Council, which was first initiated in 1983 and run for more than 15 years by the late Jan Gorbaty. Follow-ing Mr. Gorbaty’s death, many circumstances, including the tragic events of September 2001, made Mr. Sporek’s efforts very difficult. The Board appreciates Mr. Sporek’s invaluable contribution to the promotion of Polish culture and respects his preferences. Mr. Sporek, we wish you success in all your artistic endeavors! The Board expresses its gratitude to Mr. Jerzy Stryjniak, internationally recognized pianist and president of the New York Conservatory of Music, for his decision to take over the New York chapter and to revive it. The Board believes that his enthusiasm, com-bined with the involvement of local music lovers and supporters, will bring this project to reality. Mr. Stryjniak, you have our support – Good Luck to you! All interested in joining the New York Council of the Chopin Foundation may call the New York Conservatory of Music at: 212/717-9590 or send an email to: nycm@verizon.net. An excellent opportunity to learn more about the new organization and to support the Chopin Foundation will be the June 13th concert of Mei-Ting Sun, the 2005 National Chopin Competition winner, at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. For tickets call Carnegie Box Office at 212/247-7800 or go online to: www.carnegiehall.org.

Jadwiga Gewert on behalf of the Board of Directors

of the Chopin Foundation

15

San Francisco Chopin Council

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 15, 2005, Sunday 4 P.M. Winner of the 2005 National Chopin Competition in Miami

Mei-Ting Sun Old First Church, (415) 474-1608

June 4, 5, 2005 – the 10th Annual San Francisco Chopin Competi-tion for Young Pianists, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Mu-

sic, 1201 Ortega Street (at 19th Avenue) San Francisco

Dear Members and Friends, We would like to invite you to attend the concerts and get involved in our activities. The mission of the Chopin Foundation and its Coun-

cils is noble and fulfilling. It can also be a lot of fun: Chopin’s music, great performers, unbelievable young pianists, refreshments, fantastic and interesting people, and more. Please check the above schedule, mark your calendar, give us a call or write an e-mail. See you soon!

Board of Directors of the

Chopin Council of San Francisco

American Finalist of the Hilton Head,

Missouri or Cleveland Int’l Competition February 25, 2006 at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale February 26, 2005 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables

FREE

Young Pianists Concert March 25, 2006 at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale March 26, 2005 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables

FREE

Finalist of the 2005 International Chopin Piano Competition

April 29, 2006, at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale April 30, 2006, at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables

FREE

Other South Florida Concerts Featuring 7th National Chopin Piano Competition Winners

Mei-Ting Sun

with Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia FAU/University Theater, (561) 488-5681

December 18, 2005

Mei-Ting Sun Miami Civic Music Association

University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall, (305) 271-8449 April 9, 2006 at 4 PM

Coral Gables Concerts: Granada Presbyterian Church, 950 University Drive

Ft. Lauderdale Concerts:

Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue

Rachel Kudo, 2nd Prize Winner of the 7th National Chopin Piano Competition

May 28, 29 2005 at 7:00 pm, Fort Lauderdale

May 29, 2005 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables FREE

2005-2006 Season Schedule

Mei-Ting Sun 1st Prize Winner’s Concert September 10, 2005 University of Miami

Tickets $20 general admission.

Marek Drewnowski, Poland Special Chopin Concert for Festival Miami

October 28, 2005 Tickets - $15, 12, (305) 284-4940

Esther Park

4th Prize Winner of the 7th National Chopin Piano Competition

November 12, 2005 at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale November 13, 2005 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables

FREE

Melody Fader, pianist, and cellist, Emilio Colon. December 3, 2005, at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale December 4, 2005 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables

FREE

Paul Posnak Concert / Lecture: Chopin and his influences

January 28, 2006, at 7:00 pm, Ft. Lauderdale

January 28, 2006 at 3:00 pm, Coral Gables FREE

Upcoming Concerts of the Chopin Foundation

16

For more information call the Chopin Foundation at (305) 868-0624 Email: info@chopin.org or visit www.chopin.org

Fader / Colon

Esther Park

Marek Drewnowski

Mei-Ting Sun

Rachel Kudo

Paul Posnak

The Scholarship Program for Young Pianists

Up to ten (10) renewable scholarships of $1,000 are awarded each year on a competitive basis to outstanding young American pianists who demonstrate a special affinity for the interpretation of Chopin’s music. Purpose Through this unique renewal process the pianist is supported and encouraged throughout the four years of preparation to be ready for The Na-tional Chopin Piano Competition held in Miami, Florida, every five years. Besides receiving substantial cash prizes, the top four winners of this competition are fully sponsored to participate in the Preliminary Round auditions for the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. Eligibility The Scholarship Program is open to any qualified American pianists (citizens or legal residents) not younger than 14 and not older than 17 years on the application deadline, whose field of study is music and whose major is piano. If applicant is already 17 years old, he/she may only be ac-cepted if currently in this Scholarship Program. Renewal The awards are renewable up to four years as long as the recipient continues to study piano, maintains satisfactory academic progress, and each year submits an audiocassette of unedited performances of Chopin’s works for evaluation as follows: Year 1: 2 Etudes, 2 Nocturnes, 1 of ballads, or Barcarole in F sharp major Op. 60, or Fantasia in F minor Op. 49 Year 2: 6 Preludes, 2 Waltzes, 2 Mazurkas, Year 3: 1 Sonata, 1 of the following polonaises: Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise in E flat major Op. 22, Polonaise in F sharp minor Op. 44 or Polonaise - Fantasie in A flat major Op. 61 Year 4: at least one movement of the Concerto An applicant, who was not awarded the scholarship, may re-apply the following year submitting a new recording of the music of his/her choice from the same requirement. Reapplication is allowed only once while in the Scholarship Program. Procedures: Applicants must submit a formal application, along with: • a statement of career goals, • a minimum of two references from piano teachers or performers • proof of music school enrollment, • an audio tape of 20-30 minutes of Chopin’s works as listed above. Each piece must be an unedited performance and the audio tape of good quality. The tape must be clearly labeled, including applicant’s name, address and works performed. The formal application, audio tape, statement of career goals, references, and $25.00 registration fee must be received by February 15. The scholarships will be granted by May 15.

Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc., 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33141

Tel. (305)868-0624 FAX.(305)865-5150 www.chopin.org

Email: info@chopin.org

17

Chopin Foundation of the United States Scholarship Program for Young Pianists Application Form

Name:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (first) (middle) (last) Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (street) (city) (state, zip code) Telephone numbers: (______)_____________________(______)______________________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________ Date of Birth ________/______/_____ month / day / year American Citizen: ____/____ Resident Alien : _____/_____ since ___________ yes / no yes / no date School _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (address) (_______)___________________ ____________________________________________ (phone no.) (year of study) Music Teachers: Present____________________________________________ phone no. (______)______________________ E-mail _____________________ (name) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (address) Previous___________________________________________phone no. (______)______________________ E-mail ______________________ (name) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (address)

________________________ _______________________________________ (date) (applicant’s signature) Enclosures: • audiocassette (unedited, labeled) • two references from piano teachers/performers • a statement of career goals • school enrollment proof • check/money order for $25.00

Send this application to: Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc., Attn. Scholarship Committee

1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33141

Important! Attach additional page to list all significant repertoire studied. Place asterisk (*) by works

performed in public. Attach copies of programs/reviews.

18

Support Young American Pianists!

For a donation of $20 (and more) to our Scholarship Fund you may receive a video-documentary from The Sixth of Seventh American National Chopin Piano Competition or one of the following CDs with an unforgettable interpretation of Chopin’s music!

By Jan Gorbaty: 1. Sonata in B-flat Minor, Op.35 2. Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op.27, No 2 3. Ballade in G Minor, Op.23 4. Mazurka in F Minor, Op.63, No 2 5. Mazurka in B-flat Minor, Op.24, No. 4 6. Mazurka in D-flat Major, Op.30, No. 3 7. Mazurka in C-sharp Minor, Op.30, No. 4 8. Mazurka in C-sharp Minor, Op.50, No. 3

By Ning An, the 6thAmerican National Chopin Piano Competition winner:

Selections from Chopin Sonata No.3 in b minor Op.58 Impromptu in F-sharp Major op.36 Mazurkas Op.30, No.1, 2, 3, 4 Nocturne No.2 in E-flat Major Op.55 Rondo in E-flat Major Op.16

2000 Warsaw Competition Ballade in G minor Op.23 Etude Op.10 Nr 1 Etude Op.25 Nr 5 Nocturne in E flat Major op.55 Nr 2 Mazurkas Op. 30 No. 1, 2, 3, 4 Scherzo b flat minor Op.31 Rondo in E-flat Major Op.16 Sonata No. 3 in b minor, Op. 58 By Andrzej Wasowski:

21 Nocturnes (2 disc set) Disc one:

1. Nocturne in C minor (Posthumous) 2. Nocturne in C – sharp minor (Posthumous) 3. Nocturne in E minor (Posthumous, Op. 72, No.1) 4. Three Nocturnes, Op.9 5. Three Nocturnes, Op. 15 6. Two Nocturnes, Op. 27

Disc two:

1. Two Nocturnes, Op. 32 2. Two Nocturnes, Op. 37 3. Two Nocturnes, Op. 48 4. Two Nocturnes Op. 55 5. Two Nocturnes, Op.62

51 Mazurkas (2 disc set)

Disc one:

1. Four Mazurkas, Op. 6 2. Five Mazurkas, Op. 7 3. Four Mazurkas, Op. 17 4. Four Mazurkas, Op. 24 5. Four Mazurkas, Op. 30 6. Four Mazurkas, Op. 33 7. Four Mazurkas, Op. 41

Disc two:

1. Four Mazurkas, Op. 41 (Numbers 3 and 4) 2. Three Mazurkas, Op. 50 3. Three Mazurkas, Op. 56 4. Three Mazurkas, Op. 59 5. Three Mazurkas, Op. 63 6. Four Mazurkas, Op. 67 (Posthumous) 7. Four Mazurkas, Op. 68 (Posthumous) 8. Mazurka in A minor (“Gaillard”; Posthumous) 9. Mazurka in A minor (Posthumous)

Music by Chopin and Szymanowski Kazimierz Brzozowski, pianist:

Fryderyk Chopin 1. Polonaise – Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61 2. Mazurka in G Minor, Op. 24, No.1 3. Mazurka in C Major, Op. 24 No.2 4. Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op.24, No.3 5. Mazurka in B-flat Minor, Op.24, No.4 6. Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op.55, No.2 7. Nocturne in B Major, Op.62, No.1 8. Waltz in A-flat Major, Op.34, No.1 9. Ballade in F Minor, Op.52 Karol Szymanowski 10. Etude in B-flat Minor, Op.4, No.3 11. Mazurka, Op.50, No.1 12. Mazurka, Op.50, No.2 13. Mazurka, Op.50, No.3 14. Mazurka, Op. 50, No.4

Video “How to play Mazurka” by Andrzej

Wasowski – suggested donation $35

Please note that Andrzej Wasowski’s albums contain 2 CDs each.

Send your donation to the Chopin Foundation of the United States; 1440 – 79th Street Causeway., Suite 117;

Miami, FL 33141

For more information call 305-868-0624 or send email info@chopin.org

19

The Chopin Foundation Needs Your Help!

Please see the donation form below and send your tax-deductible contribution today.

Consider remembering us in your will.

The Chopin Foundation of the United States was founded by Mrs. Blanka A. Rosenstiel in 1977. The Foundation is a national non-profit organization which stemmed from the 1975 First National Chopin Piano Competition then held under the auspices of The American Institute of Polish Culture. For over 27 years the Foundation has been active nationally through The National Chopin Piano Competition, and locally in South Florida, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, through the activities of its Regional Councils. The mission of the Foundation is to assist young American pianists in their struggle for career recognition. Thanks to the generosity of many Foundation patrons, and through grants and other forms of financial support from government agencies, foundations and corporations, the Foundation is able to implement its objectives. However, the number of young talented people is increasing, and so our expenses. The Foundation appreciates any kind of support which will help us to continue our activities, not only for the growth and career development of young talented American pianists, but to make classical music popular among the general public, especially among young audiences.

Chopin Foundation activities:

• Quinquennial American National Chopin Piano Competition (see pages 5-13) • Annual Chopin Festival — a series of free-to-the public concerts (see page 18) • Scholarship Program for Young American Pianists renewable for up to four years (see pages 19, 20) • Semi-annual issue of the Polonaise magazine sent to all music schools in the U.S. and to Chopin Societies around the world. • Activities of the Regional Councils of the Chopin Foundation

Be generous and join us in fulfilling our mission!

20

With your support, young talented American artists will receive the encouragement they need and the recognition they deserve. Thanks to your generosity, the music of Frederic Chopin will be kept alive, enriching our lives and preparing new generations of classical music lovers.

YES, I want to help! Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution in the amount of: $_____________________________________________

Individual Corporate Foundation Other _________________________________________________

Please contact me regarding: In-kind contributions Planned Giving / Estate Planning Opportunity

Apply my donation to: Endowment Fund Scholarship Fund Competition Fund General Program Support Fund

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (please print) Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________________ State __________ Zip ________________________________________

Telephone (____)_______________________________ E-mail ________________________________________________________________

Donations to the Chopin Foundation of the Unites States, Inc. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Foundation is a non-profit corporation qualified under Section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Please detach this form and mail with your donation to: The Chopin Foundation of the U.S., 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33141

A few of the Future Master Pianists of the world nurtured by the Chopin Foundation of the United States.

21

Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117 Miami, Florida 33141 305-868-0624 info@chopin.org • www.chopin.org