Chopin’s work transcends cultural boundaries.
Pianist Janina Fialkowska has performed the classical composer’s work around the globe but says the impact is the same.
“It is surprising how similar the reactions are to Chopin. People just love his music for its emotion and passion, for his long and gorgeous melodies, its evocative phrases, its hints of deep Slavic melancholy, its power and its nobility,” said Fialkowska in an e-mail. “His music speaks to the hearts and souls directly and it doesn’t matter in which country, people are moved by his genius.”
Fialkowska was born in Montreal and started at age five learning piano from her mother. Eventually she attended École de Musique Vincent d’Indy. The University of Montreal awarded her a bachelor and master’s degree by the time she was 17.
Fialkowska said she started playing the piano because her older brother played and she wanted to be more like him.
“My first piece was a Polish Christmas carol that my mother taught me to play for my father as a Christmas present,” she said. “I only have this vague recollection of thoroughly enjoying the experience and feeling extremely pleased with myself.”
According to her biography there were two events in her young life that “greatly advanced” her career: winning first prize in the Radio Canada National Talent Festival and studying with the late Yvonne Lefébure, a French pianist and teacher, in Paris.
Fialkowska has kept her passion alive for playing the piano.
“One is born a musician,” she said. “I am happy the piano is my instrument because, apart from singers, we have the broadest, most varied and extensive repertoire to choose from.
“I have worked very hard all my life to perfect my art but the process is never-ending and never gets easier. However, it is incredibly fulfilling, like being stuck in a room of Vermeers and Rembrandts all day,” she said.
Fialkowska is continually working toward technical perfection. She said because that goal is “unattainable, it continues to be a challenge.”
Fialkowska performs March 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre. The show is a fundraiser for the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music.
Tickets are $40 or $25 for students available by calling 250-754-8550 or www.porttheatre.com.
In addition to Fialkowska’s performance she will also be teaching a master class at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets to observe the class are a suggested minimum donation of $10 available at the conservatory.
“Music is just a basic and vital part of a young person’s education ... all the studies show how important it is for brain development and abstract thought ... but all children should have at least a chance to decide whether they can appreciate and grow to love classical music or not,” said Fialkowska about the importance of organizations like the conservatory.
Fialkowska is an Officer of the Order of Canada and was awarded honorary doctorates from Acadia University, Queen’s University and Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Classical Music in 2012. For more information about Fialkowska, please go to www.fialkowska.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
Enter to win two tickets to see Fialkowska at www.nanaimobulletin.com/contests.