Événement

Roy Bogas, piano - presented by Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series

Roy Bogas makes a specialty of Chopin, the Polish phenomenon about whom Schumann shouted, "hats off, gentleman, a genius!"

For the first half of his October 14th recital, Roy has selected seven of his all time favorite Chopin works, two Scherzos, the G Minor Ballade and four shorter pieces including an Impromptu, the famous "cello" Etude, a Prelude and a Mazurka.

Bogas traces his feeling for Chopin to his parents who were born and raised in Ukraine, not far from Poland, and his studies with the great Russian teacher Rosina Lhevinne, plus association with the famous Chopin interpreter Artur Rubinstein.

Following a career as an accompanist, during which he performed with such great artists as Yehudi Menuhin, Joseph Szigeti, Jaime Laredo and Michael Rabin, he decided to concentrate on a solo career, appearing both in recital and with such orchestras as the Moscow Philharmonic, the Mexico City Philharmonic and both the Belgrade Philharmonic and Ljubljana Radio Orchestra, with whom he recorded the Gershwin Concerto in F.

He has been heard locally in the Bay Area for many years as Principal Solo Pianist for San Francisco Ballet, playing many different piano concertos such as the two Ravel concertos, the Rachmaninoff Paganini Rhapsody and the first Beethoven concerto.

The second half of his recital will be devoted to the Moments Musicaux by Rachmaninoff, reflecting his Russian roots, and will also include two French Impressionist works, "Reflections on the Water" by Debussy and "Ondine" by Ravel, a work he particularly reveres, as it was the signature piece of his idol Walter Gieseking.

Tickets are $25 advance; $5 more day of concert (buy your tickets early!). Children and young people ages 7 through 17 are admitted free. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.