The College of Southern Maryland will open the 2013-14 Ward Virts Concert series in its newest facility with classical pianist, Brian Ganz at 3 p.m., Oct. 6. Ganzs performance is the first of six in the series, all of which will take place at the Prince Frederick Campus, 115 J. W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick in the Multipurpose Room of Building B.
Ganz, a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, has appeared as a soloist with such orchestras as the St. Louis Symphony, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic (of Russia), the Baltimore Symphony, the National Symphony, the National Philharmonic, and the City of London Sinfonia, among others.
Ganz is widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation. Anne Midgette of The Washington Post recently wrote, Ganz, as a player and an onstage presence, is elegant, thoughtful and earnest. He flings himself into the music physically but without getting carried away; he is deliberate in his spontaneity.
Ganzs most recent project is a 10-year commitment to perform every piece of music composed for the piano by Frederic Chopin. Titled Extreme Chopin, this project is in its third year. Chopins music is the language of my soul, and I have dreamed since childhood of someday performing all of his works, says Ganz.
Ganz defines himself as an active explorer of the many ways in which the study and performance of great music can remind us of the Spirit that unites all living things. He has donated numerous performances for benefit concerts and was a founding member of the Washington Chapter of Artists to End Hunger. He resides in Annapolis and provides instruction at both St. Marys College of Maryland and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Ganz is a favorite among those attending the Ward Virts series and has provided annual performances since the concert series inception in 2006.
The Ward Virts Concert series is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Virts, Edward and Patricia Mehosky and CSM. The centerpiece of the concert series is a world-class Boesendorfer Grand Piano which was donated to CSM by the Ward Virts Piano Project (WVPP) for the enjoyment of the Southern Maryland community.
Admission is free and seating is open but limited. Contact 443-550-6011, rfleming@csmd.edu or www.csmd.edu/Arts.The complete schedule for the 2013-14 Ward Virts series is Brian Ganz (piano), Oct. 6; Kurtis Adams(saxophone), Nov. 10; Timothy Hudson (trumpet), Feb. 16, 2014; Laura Armstrong(clarinet), March 9, 2014; Bernard Vallandingham (violin), April 6, 2014; Michael K. Santana (baritone), May 4, 2014.