Piano faculty, students present "Happy Birthday, Chopin"
Concert will celebrate the anniversary of Chopin's birth
Jared Wilkes
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: Inside Out
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The piano faculty and students will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth by entertaining guest with some of his famous musical pieces.
"Birthday celebrations are always fun!" piano professor Karen McClellan said. "Besides, a 200th birthday is a big deal."
Born near Warsaw in the area of the Mazur people, Chopin composed most of his music exclusively for the piano, similar to his counterparts Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. The recital will include a few of Chopin's polonaises, preludes and nocturnes, and will end with a rondo, his only work for two pianos.
"I think all pianists love his music," McClellan said. "In fact I think anyone hearing his music will think it is beautiful."
McClellan and Kathy Smith, the music department's other piano professor, will join their student pianists Jennifer Clark, Logan Clark, Julianna Haynes, Emily Miles, Eric Newlin, Amber Smith, Leslie Smith, Stormy White, and Amanda Wilson performing Chopin's famous works.
McClellan and her students think that it is important to preserve our musical heritage, and that is one reason they are putting on this recital for the community.
"Truthfully we hope to give our audience a beautiful evening of emotional music… and to help our generation understand, appreciate, and enjoy the gorgeous music of composers like Chopin," McClellan said.
However, the reception may overshadow the recital and be the favorite part of the night, as the piano students will be baking Polish Mazurkas, a type of pastry from a recipe handed down from the Chopin era. Also fancy cupcakes and pineapple sherbet punch will be served.
The reception will take place immediately following the recital in the Gilmore Room, located in the Bell Center.
Admission is free to all, and the doors open at 7 p.m.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mark Esbery
posted 3/10/10 @ 11:32 AM CST
Cool, I didn't realize it was Chopin's birthday recently.
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