Brilliant Polish Pianist Makes Houston Debut Young virtuoso to play all-Polish program December 15, 2002
The Channing Concerts is pleased to present the United States debut of 28-year-old pianist, Raphael Alexandre Lustchevsky, already well known throughout Europe, Latin America, and in Japan. It will take place at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon, December 15, 2002 in the sanctuary of the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin.  A protégé of Alexis Weissenberg, Mr. Lustchevsky has also studied with Lazar Berman and in Imola, Italy, since receiving his masters degree at the Szymanowski conservatory in his native Poland. His career, which began more than a decade ago with an appearance with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, has grown steadily; it has recently been announced that he has been selected to present a solo recital during the final week of the prestigious 2003 Lucerne Festival. Five CDs of concerto and solo performances have been released by both Polish and Japanese recording companies. The West German Allgemeine Zeitung called Lustchevsky’s performance of Chopin’s F Major Ballade “ . . . a brilliant show of virtuosity,” while critics from Tokyo to Warsaw have repeatedly commented upon the spontaneity, precision, and joy of his playing.  For his Channing Concerts recital, Raphael Alexandre Lustchevsky has chosen an all-Polish program. Following an opening group of short pieces by Paderewski, he will feature the Third Sonata, composed in 1953, by Grazyna Bacewicz. The program will close with a group of Chopin works, including the Ballade number 1 in G minor and the Scherzo number 2 in B-flat minor. While in Houston, Mr. Lustchevsky will also perform, live, on KUHF, 88.7 FM, Friday morning, December 13 at 10:30.  The Channing Concerts recital by Raphael Alexandre Lustchevsky is at 4 PM, Sunday, December 15 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin (at Southmore). Admission is free; donations will be accepted. For further information, call 713-526-5200.  Not for publication: For press information only, call Dean Dalton at 713-523-7229.