Alan Kogosowski facts for kids

Alan Kogosowski is an Australian classical pianist, born on December 22, 1952. He is known for his amazing piano skills and his special connection to the music of Frédéric Chopin.

About Alan Kogosowski

Alan Kogosowski was born in Melbourne, Australia. He started playing the piano when he was just six years old. He practiced a lot, sometimes up to ten hours a day!

When he was only 13, Alan won a TV talent show called "BP Showcase" in Australia. That same year, he went on his first music tour. He even performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in New York City.

His Music Education

Alan studied music at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium. He received a special award called a Churchill Fellowship. This award helped him study music in Paris, France, at the École Normale de Musique. Later, he continued his studies in London and Warsaw.

His first big concerts in New York and London were very successful. People loved his performances at Lincoln Center and the Wigmore Hall.

Overcoming Challenges

When Alan was 21, he was in a car accident. He broke bones in his right hand, and doctors worried he might lose it. Luckily, a skilled surgeon saved his hand.

Just a few months later, he was back on stage! He played a special piano piece by Maurice Ravel that only uses the left hand. He performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. After about 18 months, he had fully recovered and could use both hands again.

Helping Others with Hand Health

Alan Kogosowski has studied how piano playing affects hands and posture. He used this knowledge to help people with carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition can cause pain and numbness in the hand and arm.

He has found ways to prevent and help this problem. He even designed a special computer keyboard and mouse. These designs help people keep their hands in a natural, relaxed position. He also wrote a book about it called How to Prevent RSI: a pianist's perspective for everyone.

His Love for Chopin

Alan Kogosowski has a very special connection to the famous composer Frédéric Chopin.

• He has recreated Chopin's last public concert from 1848 in London.
• He wrote a book called Genius of the Piano. It's about Chopin's life and how he avoided hand injuries.
• He made a 6-part TV series about Chopin's life and music. Alan performs Chopin's music and talks about it. This series first aired in New York in 2003.
• He recorded Chopin's "19 Polish Songs" with a singer named Irena Grainge. This was the first time these songs were recorded in Australia in their original language.
• He received praise from Pope John Paul II for his Chopin performances.
• He performed in a play about Chopin and writer George Sand.
• He created a new work called "Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 3 in A major." He put together different pieces by Chopin to make it sound like a complete concerto. He performed it for the first time in 1999 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Other Musical Activities

For ten years, Alan hosted musical evenings in London called "Schubertiades at Sotheby's." Many famous artists performed there. Members of the British royal family, including Diana, Princess of Wales and the Queen Mother, often attended. Alan became friends with Princess Diana and performed for them many times.

In 2001, he became an Artistic Advisor for the Palm Beach Symphony in Florida. He has also conducted the orchestra on several occasions.

Alan also arranged a piece by Sergei Rachmaninoff for piano and orchestra. He called it Concerto Élégiaque in D minor. This recording was named "Best Recording of the Year" in 1994 by the American Record Guide.

Honours and Awards

In 1999, Alan Kogosowski received a special award from the Polish branch of the Knights of Malta. This was to thank him for his many Chopin concerts in London. These concerts helped raise money to send medicines to Poland.