Budding Pianist From Rockville Meets Brian Ganz Before His Strathmore Concert on Saturday

Pianist Brian Ganz is preparing for his third all-Chopin recital at 8 p.m. on Saturday in partnership with the National Philharmonic at The Music Center at Strathmore. He performed his second sold out recital in his “Extreme Chopin” quest to perform all of Frédéric Chopin’s works last February at Strathmore. Ganz will perform all the approximately 250 works of Chopin over the next decade.

For the third concert in his Chopin Project, Ganz will explore the theme of "Small Worlds." The program will include Frédéric Chopin's 5 Mazurkas, Op. 7; Trois Ecossaises, Op. 72, No. 3; Lento con Gran Espressione in C-sharp minor; Presto con Leggerezza in A-flat major; Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23; Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47; and the 24 Préludes, Op. 28.

The first of the Ballades holds a place of honor in Ganz' heart, as he considers it the piece that inspired him to become a pianist. "It is no exaggeration to say that Chopin's Ballade No. 1 changed my life," he said. "I like to say that Chopin 'wounded' me with the mysterious, inexplicable beauty of that piece."

In an article about Ganz' project, The Baltimore Sun wrote: “The boy was 11, already well along in his process of discovering music, when he found himself alone at home one day listening to Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Opus 23.  Something in the piece struck Brian Ganz like a bolt from stormy skies.” Ganz recounted that moment, saying, “How can it be so beautiful that it hurts?" That wound has shaped Ganz' life. “Chopin’s music is the language of my soul, and I have dreamed since childhood of someday performing all of his works,” said Ganz, widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation.

More information on Ganz is available at www.brianganz.com.

Tickets for kids 7-17 are free through the All Kids, All Free, All the Time program (sponsored by The Gazette). All Kids tickets must be purchased in person or by phone. Parking is free.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the concert, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-581-5100.