Norman Bemelmans in Concert

Aloof, reserved, uncomfortable in public, Chopin
endowed his music with a powerful artistic vision
effortlessly encompassing the most subtly nuanced
and the most heroically epic. His unparalleled mastery
of keyboard virtuosity, color and effect endears him
to all pianists; his innate nobility of expression endears
him to all artists; his passionate and musically
fervent devotion to a homeland subjected to political
oppression endears him to all humanity.

In commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of
this great and unique artist, UNCW presents Chopin200,
an evening of selected works featuring pianist
Norman Bemelmans. An active recitalist in both the
United States and Europe, Bemelmans’ interpretations
of the works of Franz Liszt and Frédéric Chopin have
received enthusiastic critical acclaim. German
publication, Neue Zeitung proclaimed: “Chopin of the
highest order . . .The familiar music emerged under
Bemelmans’ hands as a revelation . . . We are not
accustomed to hearing Chopin performed with
such grandeur."

PROGRAM

Four Etudes, op. 25
- c minor
- c-sharp minor
- A-flat Major
- b minor

Mazurka in a minor, op. 17 #4
Nocturne in c-minor, op, 48 #1

Scherzo #3, op. 39

[INTERMISSION]

Polonaise-Fantasie in A-Flat, op.61

Prelude, op. 45
Meine Freuden [Six Chants Polonaise], arr. Liszt
Fantasie-Impromptu, op.66

Polonaise in A-Flat, op. 53 [Heroic]