Janina Fialkowska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janina Fialkowska
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Janina Fialkowska in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 7, 1951 |
| Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1963–present |
Janina Fialkowska is a famous Canadian classical pianist. She was born on May 7, 1951. She is known for playing music from the Classic and Romantic periods. She often performs pieces by the famous composer Chopin. For over 30 years, she has played with orchestras all over the world. She has also performed music by modern Polish composers like Lutosławski and Panufnik. In 1990, she was the first to play a newly found piano concerto by Franz Liszt. She performed it with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Contents
About Janina Fialkowska
Her Early Life
Janina Fialkowska was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her mother, Bridget Todd Fialkowski, was Canadian. Her father, Jerzy Fialkowski, was a Polish engineer. Her mother also studied piano in Paris. Janina started playing piano at age four with her mother.
In 1960, she joined the École Vincent-d'Indy in Montreal. At just 12 years old, she played as a soloist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She continued her studies with famous teachers. In 1969, she won first prize in a national radio competition in Canada. She also studied in New York City.
How Arthur Rubinstein Helped Her
In 1974, Janina took part in a piano competition in Israel. A judge unfairly gave her a low score. But the legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who was 87, was very impressed by her playing. He threatened to leave the competition if she didn't get a fair chance.
Rubinstein then became her mentor. He helped her start her amazing international career. He even called her "a born Chopin interpreter." This was a huge compliment!
Her Professional Career
Janina Fialkowska has had many important performances. In 1986, she played all of Franz Liszt's "Transcendental Études." She performed these difficult pieces in major cities like New York and London. In 1990, she was chosen to play a newly discovered piano concerto by Franz Liszt for the first time. She played it with the Chicago Symphony.
She has also played new piano concertos by other composers. These include pieces by American composer Libby Larsen and Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich. In 1992, a TV show called The World of Janina Fialkowska was made about her life.
Overcoming Challenges
In 2002, Janina faced a big challenge. Doctors found a serious cancerous tumor in her left arm. After surgery, her arm was almost unusable. But she didn't give up! For 18 months, she played concerts using only her right hand. She performed special music written for one hand. Both audiences and critics admired her courage and skill.
In 2004, Janina returned to playing with both hands. She gave a recital in Germany. Since then, she has continued to tour and perform around the world. She has played with many famous orchestras. In 2018, her album Chopin Recital 3 won a Juno Award. This is a top music award in Canada.
Her Personal Life
Janina Fialkowska married Harry Oesterle, a music manager, in 2001. They have homes in Connecticut and Bavaria. She has also written a book about her life called A Note In Time.
Piano Six and Piano Plus
Janina Fialkowska started a special program called Piano Six. It was a non-profit group that helped bring classical music to smaller towns across Canada. In 1993, she convinced five other famous Canadian pianists to join her. They agreed to perform for less money to reach more communities.
For ten years, Piano Six artists gave over 60 tours. They reached more than 100,000 Canadians. They offered live performances, masterclasses, and workshops for teachers. In 2004, the program grew and became "Piano Plus." It now includes musicians who play strings and sing, not just pianists. They continue to tour Canada every year.
Awards and Honours
Janina Fialkowska has received many awards for her musical talent:
- First Prize at the CBC National Radio Competition for Young Performers, 1969.
- Third Prize at the First International Arthur Rubinstein Piano Masters Competition, 1974.
- Officer of the Order of Canada, 2001. This is a very high honour in Canada.
- Honorary Doctorate (Music) from Acadia University, 2006.
- Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Keyboard Artistry, 2007.
- Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, 2012.
Her Recordings
Janina Fialkowska has released many recordings. Two of her CDs were nominated for a Juno Award. Her 2001 recording of Liszt's "Transcendental Études" won the Critics’ Choice award. She has also recorded works by Chopin and Liszt.
In 2007, it was discovered that another pianist, Joyce Hatto, had copied some of Janina's recordings. This was part of a big music fraud case.
Discography Highlights
Here are some of her notable recordings:
Orchestral / Concertos
- W.A.Mozart: Piano Concertos, nos. 11 and 12 (2007)
- Frédéric Chopin: Concertos (2005)
- Franz Liszt: Piano Concerti (2000)
Solo Albums
- Chopin: Book II (sonatas, impromptus) (2001)
- Transcendental Liszt: Transcendental Études (complete) (2000)
- Fialkowska plays Chopin: The Études, opp. 10 & 25 (1998)
- La Jongleuse: Salon pieces and encores (1998)
Collaborations
- None But the Lonely Heart: Russian Romances. With soprano Joanne Kolomyjec (2001)
See also
In Spanish: Janina Fialkowska para niños
