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Chopin for All: Kevin Kenner (Online)

In an exclusive performance produced just for the Chopin Foundation, Kevin Kenner explored some of the beautiful works that Chopin composed early in his career.

“This program includes the first known work [Chopin] composed (the G minor Polonaise),” said Kenner, “and the piece (Variations Op. 2) that sparked his career and drew attention from Robert Schumann who remarked about the work, ‘Hats off, gentlemen! A genius!’ These pieces are less popular than the later often played works, but in my view reveal the important core influences to his style. Since we celebrated the marking of his 210th birthday in 2020, I thought these early works remind us of his birthplace.”

This exclusive broadcast was recorded at the University of Miami Gusman Auditorium in January of 2020 and only aired once. Considered one of the finest pianists performing today and an expert on Chopin’s music, Mr. Kenner served as Jury Chair of the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition and recently served on the jury of the 18th International Chopin Competition in 2021. He is the artistic director/teaching artist/performer at the Frost Chopin Academy scheduled again for summer 2022.

PROGRAM:

Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72 (1827)
Polonaise in G minor (1817)
Polonaise in F minor, Op. 71, No. 3 (1828)
Polonaise in B-flat major, Op. 71, No. 2 (1828)
3 Mazurkas, Op. 68
No. 1 in C major (1829-30)
No. 2 in A minor (1826-7)
No. 3 in F major (1829-30)
Rondo a la Mazur, Op. 5 (1825-6)
Variations on Mozart’s “La ci darem la mano”, Op. 2 (1827-8)

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