Byron Janis Interview and Radio Special - Chopin and Beyond, an extraordinary life in music and the paranormal

BYRON JANIS on DUBLIN CITY FM 

AIR DATE: 21 May 2011 9 p.m. GMT




Byron Janis
 

















The great American pianist Byron Janis (b. 1928) was a prodigy of the highest order. Born to a poor Polish-American family, he devoted most of his childhood and youth to piano studies. His teachers included Josef Hoffmann and Vladimir Horowitz. One of the last pianists keeping the tradition of the Golden Age of Piano Playing alive, Janis is living proof of triumph over adversity.
A lifelong battle with arthritis and several life experiences led him to scratch below the surface of life itself, to find out more about the truths that govern it. In 2010, he co-wrote his autobiography with his wife, Maria Cooper Janis, and titled it "Chopin and Beyond - my extraordinary life in music and the paranormal." Chopin forms a very important part of this great pianists' life, a life that is shaped by pain, unconditional love, spiritual awareness and the desire to be true to oneself. The book is a must-read, for music enthusiasts and those who have no knowledge of Western art music. It has also stimulated debate amongst readers, particularly those classical music fans who are not quite so open-minded or interested in the paranormal! Yet, Byron Janis has chosen to speak openly and truthfully about his life and all his diverse interests, irrespective of what people may think. He is also a spokesperson for the American Arthritis Foundation. For this reason, this edition of Offbeat is devoted to Byron Janis - and includes the great pianist in conversation with Karishmeh.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

PART 1
Introduction by Karishmeh Felfeli - her thoughts on "Chopin and Beyond"
Bach/Liszt - Prelude and Fugue in A minor
Chopin Waltz in A Minor
Chopin Ballade No. 1 in g minor

PART 2
Byron Janis in Conversation with Karishmeh Felfeli


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