| OCR Text |
Show Not to Mention Barber Shop, Fish Finders and ??? Chain Saws Indians Pow Wow For Thanksgiving Page 4 Page 3 The Basin News Features and Classified Ads of the Entire Uintah Basin Wednesday, December Volume 2 Number 57 1, 1982 NOW ONLY 10$ Some Call Him Sir, Others, Maestro, While Others Call Him the Greatest t.' V- " Sir Wladimir Jan Kochanski is not an average pianist. And Kochanskis December 4 performance at Vernal Junior High School is not going to be an average classical piano concert. At least Kochanski hopes it won't be. Beautiful music was written to be Kochanski enjoyed by everyone, believes. And so every performance he tries to please a much wider audience than just the elite. In fact, Kochanski says he has made it his mission to introduce as many new listeners as possible to the joys of classical music. This mission was resolved when he performed his first concert when the native Texan was only 2 years old. Out in the audience were only the rich and elite. He promised himself there that he would take the snobbery out of classical music. So his concerts attempt to persuade all to the beautiful sound of classical piano pieces. During his concerts, unlike the traditional piano concert, he also talks to the audience, educating all with some insights into the music and its composers. Often, he invites children to join him on stage. And he is always open after concerts 1 to answer any questions. To make classical music an art for everyone to enjoy is not the only mission for Kochanski. He also is well known as an humanitarian, helping the children of his ancestral country - Poland. In fact, Kochanski is often referred to in Poland as the second Paderewski (after the famed Polish pianist who was president of the Polish government-in-exil- e during World War 1), a champion of the Polish people and of great music. A highlight of his career was his performance for Catholic Pope John Paul II at the dedication of the Polish Pilgrim s Home in 1981. ... Kochanski received the Sir before his 1 ?. .. ' r - -- .A. ' " ? "s'-- "m Wir iiV r v ' ; ;'. v- j v my. ., r ' - X' ?' - ?: V . a- - '! . hUm it M f f - name w hen he was given the highest honor of the exiled Polish government for a civilian. He was awarded knighthood in the Order of Polonia Keslitua. I he ceremony took place in London w here the government in exile has its olTieial headquarters earlier this year. And this is so because of an program which he started to help Polish families in need. Kochanski carries with him the names and addresses of Polish families that need aid. He gives them out to any family that would like to help. So far almost 18.000 families have adopted a Polish family, according to the private newsmagazine Partners With Kochanski. Linda Gates of Oak Park. Illinois wrote to the paper commenting on her experiences with her adopted family. My adopted Polish family is receiving the packages and they have sent some one-to-o- ne beautiful hand-mad- e presents to us. They have asked me to thank you for them, and we want to thank you. also, for providing us with such a fun and rewarding opportunity. Neither being a great performer nor being a humanitarian are what has made Kochanski famous. It is his musicianship at the piano that his given him world acclaim. He is a graduate of the Julliard School of Music in New York. I here he studied with the legendary teachers Kosina Lhevinncand Ldvvard Steucrmann. One critic wrote of him, A single glance at the hands making the music convinces one that they were destined to create music. P.ven as a young student, their span was the envy of every p ia n o st ude nt . 1 h ro ugh yea rs ol st ud y and practice these remarkable hands have achcived a degree of control and discipline .seldom equalled in the history of the keyboard. 13-no- tc |
