Wladimir Jan Kochanski
Encyclopedia
Wladimir Jan Kochanski is a Juilliard-trained, Texas
-born, American concert pianist of Polish ancestry. He is well-known not only for his virtuosity on the piano but for his entertaining and informative humor in concert.
and Eduard Steuermann
. Lhevinne, who was also Van Cliburn
’s teacher at the time, described Kochanski as "a dazzling pianist reminiscent of the masters." Not long after he completed his studies in 1959, Kochanski was stricken with chronic internal bleeding which caused him to be hospitalized for three years. Under the guidance of his patron, Dr. Della Moser Pennington, one of the first female physicians in the United States, he was eventually able to recover through diet and lifestyle changes that enabled him to resume his concert career. After the demise of Dr. Pennington, Kochanski formed the Pennington Foundation to assist aspiring pianists. Kochanski began his career using his birth-name, Robert Harvey, and under which he produced his first album, and a handbook for aspiring piano students, "The Magic Key to Keyboard Success". In the mid-1970s Robert Harvey changed his name to Wladimir Ian Kochanski and reintroduced himself as "The People's Pianist". In 1981 he was playing around 100 concerts each season.
Kochanski is a life-long admirer of the legendary Polish pianist, Ignace Ian Paderewski, whose persona has been a guiding reference in the shaping of his professional persona. Besides regular concerts, he has played on a number special occasions for notables, including a private concert for Pope John Paul II
, as well as performances on the shows Good Morning America
, Hour Magazine
, The 700 Club
and Voice of America
. His autobiography, The People's Pianist, was published in 1981 by Crown Summit Books. Besides his music, he has been notable in his efforts to promote the welfare of needy Poles in Poland, for which he has received the Order of Polonia Restituta.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-born, American concert pianist of Polish ancestry. He is well-known not only for his virtuosity on the piano but for his entertaining and informative humor in concert.
Career Notes
In his six years at Juilliard his instructors included Rosina LhevinneRosina Lhévinne
Rosina Bessie Lhévinne was a Russian American pianist and famed pedagogue....
and Eduard Steuermann
Eduard Steuermann
Eduard Steuermann was an Austrian pianist and composer. The actress Salka Viertel was his sister...
. Lhevinne, who was also Van Cliburn
Van Cliburn
Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn Jr. is an American pianist who achieved worldwide recognition in 1958 at age 23, when he won the first quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, at the height of the Cold War....
’s teacher at the time, described Kochanski as "a dazzling pianist reminiscent of the masters." Not long after he completed his studies in 1959, Kochanski was stricken with chronic internal bleeding which caused him to be hospitalized for three years. Under the guidance of his patron, Dr. Della Moser Pennington, one of the first female physicians in the United States, he was eventually able to recover through diet and lifestyle changes that enabled him to resume his concert career. After the demise of Dr. Pennington, Kochanski formed the Pennington Foundation to assist aspiring pianists. Kochanski began his career using his birth-name, Robert Harvey, and under which he produced his first album, and a handbook for aspiring piano students, "The Magic Key to Keyboard Success". In the mid-1970s Robert Harvey changed his name to Wladimir Ian Kochanski and reintroduced himself as "The People's Pianist". In 1981 he was playing around 100 concerts each season.
Kochanski is a life-long admirer of the legendary Polish pianist, Ignace Ian Paderewski, whose persona has been a guiding reference in the shaping of his professional persona. Besides regular concerts, he has played on a number special occasions for notables, including a private concert for Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, as well as performances on the shows Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, Hour Magazine
Hour Magazine
Hour Magazine may refer to:* Hour , a weekly entertainment newspaper published in Montreal* Hour Magazine , a syndicated talk show hosted by Gary Collins, which aired from 1980 to 1988...
, The 700 Club
The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
and Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
. His autobiography, The People's Pianist, was published in 1981 by Crown Summit Books. Besides his music, he has been notable in his efforts to promote the welfare of needy Poles in Poland, for which he has received the Order of Polonia Restituta.
Proteges and Pupils
Kochanski has been a mentor to a number of other pianists, although none has achieved international status in the classical music world. Among his many students are Christine Anderson, and Spencer Huston.Awards and recognitions
- He is a BaldwinBaldwin Piano CompanyThe Baldwin Piano Company was the largest US-based manufacturer of keyboard instruments, most notably pianos. It remains a subsidiary of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, although it ceased domestic production of pianos in December 2008.-History:...
Notable Artist, also appearing as a PianoDisc popular artist - Order of Polonia RestitutaPolonia RestitutaThe Order of Polonia Restituta is one of Poland's highest Orders. The Order can be conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, art, economics, defense of the country, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries...