Byron Janis

Byron Janis

97 · Born: Mar 24, 1928

Personal Details

BornMar 24, 1928 McKeesport, Pennsylvania, USA
Spouse
  • Maria Cooper Janis

    ( Apr 11, 1966 to Mar 14, 2024 )
  • June Dickson Wright

    ( Nov 22, 1953 to Aug 12, 1965 )
Parents
  • Samuel Yankilevitch
  • Hattie Horelick

Biography

Born on March 24, 1928, Byron Janis is a renowned American classical pianist whose illustrious career has been marked by numerous recordings for esteemed labels such as RCA Victor and Mercury Records.

Throughout his illustrious tenure, Janis has had the distinction of occupying two volumes of the Philips series Great Pianists of the 20th Century, a testament to his exceptional skill and mastery of the craft.

His extensive discography showcases an impressive range of repertoire, spanning from the works of Bach to those of David W. Guion, and featuring major piano concertos by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Prokofiev, among others.

Janis's dedication to his craft has resulted in a body of work that is both diverse and comprehensive, a true reflection of his artistry and expertise as a classical pianist.

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Noteworthy was the early musical education of a renowned pianist, Janis, who under the tutelage of Abraham Litow, a distinguished educator, honed his skills for a period of eight years, until the tender age of eight.

It was during this formative period that a serendipitous encounter took place, as Vladimir Horowitz, a legendary pianist, happened upon Janis performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 in Pittsburgh. So impressed was Horowitz with Janis's artistry that he decided to take on the young pianist as his first pupil.

This marked the beginning of a four-year period, spanning from 1944 to 1948, during which Janis would study under the guidance of the illustrious Horowitz, undoubtedly refining his craft and laying the foundations for a illustrious career as a pianist.

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Janis, a multifaceted individual, expanded his creative horizons by venturing into the realm of composition, crafting music for various mediums. His impressive portfolio includes the score for an Off-Broadway adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which premiered in 1993, as well as contributions to television shows. Furthermore, he collaborated with renowned composer Cy Coleman on several projects, showcasing his versatility and artistic range.

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Byron Janis, a renowned pianist and musicologist, made a groundbreaking discovery in 1967 at the Chateau de Thoiry in France. His excavation unearthed two previously unknown manuscripts of published Chopin waltzes, specifically Op. 18 and Op. 70, No. 1, which The New York Times would later describe as "That rarest of all musical items..." This extraordinary find was met with great excitement and acclaim in the music world.

Several years later, Janis made an astonishing second discovery, uncovering the same two waltzes in different versions at Yale University. This remarkable coincidence only added to the significance of his initial find. The two manuscripts, Op. 18 and Op. 70, No. 1, were subsequently published together under one cover in Frédéric Chopin, ed. Byron Janis, The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery of the Age, Envolve Books, 1978. This publication marked a major milestone in the world of music and cemented Janis' reputation as a pioneering musicologist.

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Janis Joplin's life took a dramatic turn in 1973 when she was beset by the debilitating symptoms of severe arthritis, which afflicted both her hands and wrists, significantly impacting her daily life.

It wasn't until 1985 that Janis publicly spoke about her struggles with the disease, marking a turning point in her journey as she became the inaugural Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, using her platform to raise awareness and support for those affected by the condition.

Fast forward to June 2012, Janis Joplin was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless work in arthritis advocacy, a testament to her dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity.

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Byron Janis, a renowned pianist, collaborated with his wife Maria Cooper, daughter of the esteemed screen actor Gary Cooper, to author his captivating autobiography, "Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal", which was published in November 2010.

Furthermore, Janis embarked on a unique musical adventure, hosting the DVD "A Voyage With Byron Janis", a captivating journey through the life and works of the celebrated Polish composer Frédéric Chopin.

Moreover, a biopic based on Janis' extraordinary life is currently in development, with esteemed filmmaker Martin Scorsese at the helm, courtesy of Paramount Pictures. The script for this cinematic endeavor has been penned by Peter Glanz, drawing inspiration from Janis' autobiography.

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Byron Janis was an American pianist, born on August 24, 1928, in Paris, France, to American parents. His mother, a concert pianist, introduced him to music at a young age, and he began taking piano lessons at the age of four.

Janis's early life was marked by a series of moves between Europe and the United States, as his parents sought to escape the Great Depression. He spent his formative years in the United States, studying piano with his mother and later with the renowned Russian-born pianist, Rosina Lhévinne.

In 1946, Janis enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with the prominent pianist and pedagogue, Rudolf Serkin. During his time at Curtis, he developed a strong foundation in classical music, particularly in the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.

After graduating from Curtis, Janis embarked on a successful concert career, performing with many of the world's leading orchestras and collaborating with esteemed conductors such as Leonard Bernstein and George Szell. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of French composer Claude Debussy, and his performances of Debussy's piano music were widely acclaimed.

Throughout his career, Janis was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Prix de Rome, the Naumburg Award, and the Handel Medal. He also served as a juror for several international piano competitions, including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

In addition to his concert career, Janis was a dedicated teacher and mentor, and he held faculty positions at several prestigious music institutions, including the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. He was also a frequent guest lecturer and performer at music festivals and conferences around the world.

Byron Janis passed away on May 20, 2011, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most celebrated pianists of his generation.

Career