Polish Pianist Rafal Blechacz Makes His Houston Debut Tonight

Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz will make his Houston debut tonight, Oct. 17, 2014, at8 p.m. in the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

The program for the evening will include J.S. Bach's Italian concerto, BWV 971; Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata in c minor, Op. 13 Pathetique; and three works by Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E Major, Op. 62; 3 Waltzes, Op. 64; 3 Mazurkas, Op. 56 and Polonaise in F-sharp minor, Op. 44.

Rafa? Blechacz's career was launched in October 2005 after winning the 15th Frédéric Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. In January 2014 he was the recipient of the Gilmore Artist Award, which is given every four years to an international pianist of any age and nationality following a rigorous and confidential selection process.

Born in Nak?o nad Noteci?, a city in northern Poland, Rafa? Blechacz began studying piano at the age of five. His professional studies began at the Artur Rubinstein State School of Music followed by the Feliks Nowoiejski Academy of Music with pianist Katarzyna Popowa-Zydro?. While still in school he began competing in prestigious competitions including the 13th All-Poland Johann Sebastian Bach Competition (first prize), the 5th International Young Pianists Competition (second prize) and the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan (co-winner).

Since the launch of his career, the 29-year-old Blechacz has signed a contract to work exclusively with the Deutche Grammophon record label with whom he has released five albums, including his most recent Chopin Polonaises. His work in concert halls includes performances in Europe, Asia and America with some of the greatest symphonies and conductors including Paavo Järvi and Charles Dutoit.

Tickets range from $23-$58 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4SPA or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.

About Society for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 1,000 performances of the world's finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

Photo Credit: Felix Broede

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