Music by Beethoven, Lutosławski, Magin and Paderewski. Wine Reception by SummerWood Winery.
7:00 p.m.
Park Ballroom, downtown Paso Robles
$40; Seniors: $30; Under 18: $15
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
Master Class with Pianist Janina Fiałkowska
Open to the public
4:10 p.m.
Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Free Admission
Bandonegro Concert: Polish & Argentine Tangos
Music by Vars, Petersburski, Piazzolla, and more. Wine Reception by Bovino Vineyards.
7:00 p.m.
Park Ballroom, downtown Paso Robles
$40; Seniors: $30; Under 18: $15
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND
Private Wine Tasting
Featuring Epoch’s Resident Historian
Youth Competition Winners’ Recital
Open to the public
Pre-Concert Talk in Concert Hall
11:00 a.m.
Epoch Estate Wines, Templeton Paderewski Patron pass holders only
3:00 p.m.
Park Ballroom, downtown Paso Robles
6:30 p.m.
Ft. USC Polish Music Center’s director, Marek Zebrowski
SLO PAC Concert Hall
Friends of Paderewski and Paderewski Patron pass holders only
Gala Concert: Janina Fiałkowska with the SLO Symphony
Under Maestro Andrew Sewell
Works by Mozart, Paderewski, and Mussorgsky/Ravel
Post-concert reception
Ft. soloist Janina Fiałkowska
Wine reception by Epoch Estate Wines
7:30 p.m.
SLO PAC Concert Hall
$32 - $92; Student: $12
7:30 p.m.
SLO PAC Concert Hall Paderewski Patron pass holders
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
Cultural Exchange Brunch
Wines by J. Lohr Wines
9:00 a.m.
Park Ballroom, downtown Paso Robles
Friends of Paderewski and Paderewski Patron pass holders only
Cultural Exchange Program Recital
Featuring young pianists from Poland
Open to the public.
11:00 a.m.
Park Ballroom, downtown Paso Robles Free Admission
PADEREWSKI IN PASO ROBLES
IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI was a frequent visitor to Paso Robles between the years 1914 and 1939. He stayed at the El Paso de Robles Hotel (now the Paso Robles Inn), and took cures in the hot springs. He also bought 2,864 acres on the West Side of Paso, and established his San Ignacio and Santa Helena ranches. A pioneer almond grower and winemaker, Paderewski transformed Central Coast agriculture and was one of the first to cultivate Zinfandel grapes in California. Wishing to enlarge his holdings and hoping to find oil, Paderewski also acquired 2,626 acres of ranchland near Santa Maria in September 1917. Although several test drillings were carried out, oil was not discovered at that time and the land was eventually sold in November 1933.
To commemorate Paderewski’s association with the area, the Paderewski Festival was launched in Paso Robles in 1993 and its annual concerts proved a resounding success. Tours of vineyards, wine tasting, and presentations of Polish culture and history were held in a variety of venues around town. The death of one of the Paderewski Festival organizers and a destructive earthquake in 2003 suspended the Festival.
In 2006, under the leadership of the Polish Music Center at USC, the Festival was re-launched as the “Paderewski Reprise” with a solo recital by Jonathan Plowright. Held at Cass Winery, the event proved that there was continued interest in preserving Paderewski’s legacy in Paso Robles. Since then the Festival has gained support among from such Paso institutions as the Carnegie Library, Main Street Association, Pioneer Museum, Park Ballroom, Paso Robles Inn, Paso Wine Alliance and Rotary Club, as well industry sponsors, including Cass Winery, Derby Wine Estates, Epoch Estate Wines, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Pear Valley Winery, and Tablas Creek Vineyard, among many others.
Over the years, the Paderewski Festival Board of Directors added more concerts and events, and launched a Youth Piano Competition. A February 2007 letter of Frank Mecham, then Mayor of Paso Robles, suggesting a sister city agreement between Tarnów, Poland—the district encompassing Paderewski’s former estate at Kąśna Dolna— led to a Festival Board members visit in Poland in 2008.
Discussions with local officials, meetings at Jagiellonian University in Kraków and at the Ministry of Culture in Warsaw, as well as with Poland’s First Lady led to the 2008 signing of a cultural cooperation agreement between Paso Robles and Tarnów.
The Youth Piano Competition is the Festival’s embodiment of Paderewski’s wish to establish a music school in Paso Robles. Young Central Coast pianists are given an opportunity to refine their skills through auditions, workshops, master classes, and concert performances in California and Poland. Every two years since 2009, selected winners of the Youth Piano Competition in Paso Robles are invited for a Cultural Exchange Program of chamber music workshops and piano master classes in Poland led by Paderewski Festival Artistic Director, Marek Zebrowski. Young Californians perform in joint public concerts at historical venues in Kraków and Warsaw. This unique program is jointly supported by the Paderewski Festival, Central Coast wineries and many local civic organizations, as well as by the Polish-Ukrainian Paderewski Foundation and diplomatic representatives of the Polish government in the United States.
In 2017, the Paderewski Festival launched the Paso Pops, an open-air patriotic-themed concert celebrating the July 4th Independence Day. With the San Luis Obispo Symphony and various soloists—including winners of the Paderewski Festival Youth Competition—performing for several thousand listeners, these concerts demonstrated the Festival’s support of local artists and brought music to Central Coast audiences. Although the financial risk for such large-scale event proved too great for our small nonprofit, the Festival Board continues to explore returning to a sustainable community event linking summertime music and wine tasting.
Since 2011, the Paderewski Festival cooperates with the Paderewski International Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and its winners are often featured at Festival Gala concerts in Paso Robles. World class artists are also invited to appear at the Festival’s Gala Concert series. There is no doubt that such performances will continue to enhance the cultural atmosphere of Paso Robles, preserve Paderewski’s legacy and love for the region, and enrich all who participate in this annual music feast in Paso Robles.
Gala Sponsor Spotlight | The Platinum Anniversary
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
2024 marks twenty years since Epoch Estate Wines was first formed by two history-loving geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong. Over the past two decades, the Armstrongs’ shared passion for preserving history has led them led them to acquire two of the most historic properties on the Central Coast, the Paderewski Vineyard and the old York Mountain property, and make them central to the Epoch story. Located on these storied soils, Epoch is an ultra-premium producer of wines from Rhône, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their three west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. The Armstrongs are committed to the land that they cherish, the quality wines crafted, and the rich legacies now shared with the next generation of Epoch drinkers. In honor of their steadfast sponsorship of the Paderewski Festival, let’s take a look back at Epoch’s rich history.
2004 Epoch Estate Wines is founded by Bill and Liz Armstrong. They purchase 365 acres of Paderewski’s original property on Peachy Canyon Road. Fallow at the time, they plant a 65acre vineyard where Paderewski once grew his own vines, and they name it the Paderewski Vineyard.
2004 Epoch Estate Wines is founded by Bill and Liz Armstrong. They purchase 365 acres of Paderewski’s original property on Peachy Canyon Road. Fallow at the time, they plant a 65acre vineyard where Paderewski once grew his own vines, and they name it the Paderewski Vineyard.
2007 Epoch’s first vintage is born!
2007 Epoch’s first vintage is born!
2024 marks twenty years since Epoch Estate Wines was first formed by two history-loving geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong. Over the past two decades, the Armstrongs’ shared passion for preserving history has led them led them to acquire two of the most historic properties on the Central Coast, the Paderewski Vineyard and the old York Mountain property, and make them central to the Epoch story. Located on these storied soils, Epoch is an ultra-premium producer of wines from Rhône, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their three west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. The Armstrongs are committed to the land that they cherish, the quality wines crafted, and the rich legacies now shared with the next generation of Epoch drinkers. In honor of their steadfast sponsorship of the Paderewski Festival, let’s take a look back at Epoch’s rich history.
2012 In December, Epoch Estate Wines acquires the Ascension property (formerly known as Stephen Cellars), which is adjacent to the York Mountain Property.
2012 In December, Epoch Estate Wines acquires the Ascension property (formerly known as Stephen Cellars), which is adjacent to the York Mountain Property.
2010 Jordan Fiorentini joins the Epoch family as Head Winemaker. In the summer, Bill and Liz Armstrong purchase the York Mountain property out of foreclosure and begin bringing this historic site back to life.
2010 Jordan Fiorentini joins the Epoch family as Head Winemaker. In the summer, Bill and Liz Armstrong purchase the York Mountain property out of foreclosure and begin bringing this historic site back to life.
The Armstrongs and Epoch become sponsors of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles. Over the next fourteen years, Epoch goes on to host many different events for the Paderewski Festival, consistently serving as the Gala Concert Sponsor each year.
The Armstrongs and Epoch become sponsors of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles. Over the next fourteen years, Epoch goes on to host many different events for the Paderewski Festival, consistently serving as the Gala Concert Sponsor each year.
2011 In January, Epoch opens a Tasting Room in a tricked-out singlewide trailer close to the original York Mountain Winery. Planning and permit processes begin for the restoration of the condemned York Mountain Winery building.
2011 In January, Epoch opens a Tasting Room in a tricked-out singlewide trailer close to the original York Mountain Winery. Planning and permit processes begin for the restoration of the condemned York Mountain Winery building.
The Armstrongs undertake a complete renovation of the historic York Farmhouse, with the intent of using it as a home for family and friends.
The Armstrongs undertake a complete renovation of the historic York Farmhouse, with the intent of using it as a home for family and friends.
2013 This summer sees the careful deconstruction of the original York Mountain Winery as Epoch prepares to rebuild and restore it from the ground up. In September, Epoch breaks ground on its first winery (at the time, Epoch’s wine is made at Denner) at the site of the original Ascension schoolhouse.
2013 This summer sees the careful deconstruction of the original York Mountain Winery as Epoch prepares to rebuild and restore it from the ground up. In September, Epoch breaks ground on its first winery (at the time, Epoch’s wine is made at Denner) at the site of the original Ascension schoolhouse.
Renovation/reconstruction officially begins on the historic York Mountain Winery. It will become Epoch’s new Tasting Room.
Renovation/reconstruction officially begins on the historic York Mountain Winery. It will become Epoch’s new Tasting Room.
2014 Epoch’s first harvest at the new winery begins in late August, exactly 80 years after Paderewski brought his fruit to York Mountain to be made into wine.
2014 Epoch’s first harvest at the new winery begins in late August, exactly 80 years after Paderewski brought his fruit to York Mountain to be made into wine.
2015 Bill and Liz purchase more acreage, bringing the Paderewski Vineyard property to just over 600 acres.
2015 Bill and Liz purchase more acreage, bringing the Paderewski Vineyard property to just over 600 acres.
2016 In December, Epoch’s tasting room at York Mountain is completed.
2016 In December, Epoch’s tasting room at York Mountain is completed.
2017 Epoch’s new tasting room is open for business!
2017 Epoch’s new tasting room is open for business!
2024 Epoch celebrates its 20th Anniversary!
2024 Epoch celebrates its 20th Anniversary!
A BRIEF TIMELINE OF PADEREWSKI’S LIFE
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) a virtuoso pianist, composer, politician (the first Prime Minister of independent Poland after World War I), humanitarian and orator, was universally acclaimed as a “Modern Immortal” by his contemporaries.
1860 Born on November 6 in the village of Kuryłówka, in the Podolia Province of southeastern Poland (now Ukraine)
1872 –1879 Studies piano, harmony, counterpoint and trombone at the Music Institute in Warsaw. First published composition, Impromptu for Piano, appears in the journal Echo Muzyczne in Warsaw in 1879
1880 Marries a fellow-student, Antonina Korsak, who dies a year later in childbirth. Paderewski’s son, Alfred, is an invalid throughout his life
1881–1886
Studies composition with Friedrich Kiel and Heinrich Urban in Berlin; befriends Anton Rubinstein, Richard Strauss and the music publisher Hugo Bock. Studies with Teodor Leschetizky in Vienna. Teaches at the Strasbourg Conservatory in 1885 and appears in solo and chamber music concerts
1888 Triumphant debut at the Salle Érard in Paris in March followed by recitals in major European capitals
1891 Performs in New York City for the first time. Gives over 100 concerts in U.S. and Canada during a four-month period. Initiates international annual concert tours of North America
1897 Purchases Kąśna Dolna estate about 60 miles southeast of Kraków (sold 1903)
1899 Marries long-time companion, Helena Górska and honeymoons at Kąśna Dolna. Purchases a villa, Riond-Bosson, near Morges, Switzerland, that becomes Paderewski’s principal residence until 1940
1901 Death of Alfred Paderewski. Premiere of Paderewski’s only opera, Manru, in Dresden. American premiere at the Metropolitan Opera follows in 1902
1906 Makes his first piano-roll recordings for Welte-Mignon. Also records for Aeolian Company and HMV
1909 Symphony in B Minor, Op. 24, “Polonia,” premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Later performed in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore
His charismatic personality and popular appeal made him one of the most cherished figures of the 20th century. Although his bold political vision for a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural United States of Poland was never realized, his musical legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians all around the world.
1914 – 1916 Purchases ranch land in California: Paso Robles (2,864 acres) and Santa Maria (2,626 acres)
1915 – 1918 Gives over 300 speeches and lecture-recitals on behalf of Polish independence. Raises millions of dollars in aid for Poland, working with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and the political elites of Europe
1918-1922 As the representative of Poland signs the Versailles Treaty, restoring Polish sovereignty after 123 years. Serves as the first Prime Minister of Poland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Poland’s representative to the League of Nations. Resigns from all political posts and resumes international concert tours in 1922
1923 Receives the honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Southern California for his political achievements. Also honored by Lwów, Yale, Jagiellonian, Oxford, Columbia, Poznań, Glasgow, Cambridge, and New York Universities
1932
Performs for 15,000 at Madison Square Garden, raising $37,000 for unemployed American musicians
1934 Paderewski’s wife, Helena, dies in Switzerland after a long illness
1937 – 1938 Appears in British film, Moonlight Sonata, portraying himself in a 21-minute recital of works by Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and his own Menuet. Performs a 40-minute radio recital, broadcast live around the world and carried in North America by the NBC Network
1939 Last American tour cut short as Paderewski becomes ill in New York and sails for Europe on May 30
1939–1941 Conducts anti-Nazi campaign from his home in Switzerland, but does not join Polish government in exile. Evacuated via France, Spain, and Portugal, he reaches New York in November 1940. Dies in New York on June 29, 1941, and receives a state burial at the Arlington National Cemetery
1992 Paderewski’s body is returned to Poland and buried in the Royal Crypt of the Warsaw Cathedral in a ceremony attended by the presidents of Poland and the United States.
AKA DUO PRESENTS
CLASSICAL CROSSROADS
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 no. 1 I. Allegro
II. Adagio,moltoespressivo
III. AllegrettoconVariazioni
Witold Lutosławski (1913-1994) Subito (1992)
Miłosz Magin (1929-1999) Andante pour violon et piano (1963)
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) .......................... Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor Op.13 I. Allegroconfantasia
II. Intermezzo. Andantino
III. Finale.Allegromoltoquasi presto
SEINA MATSUOKA, VIOLIN | YUTO KIGUCHI, PIANO
The AKA Duo tour is realized by the National Institute of Music and Dance, with support from the Polish Cultural Institute New York and co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Steinway Piano courtesy of Tom and Kathleen Maas
EVENT SPONSOR
ARTIST SPONSORS
Violinist Seina Matsuoka and pianist Yuto Kiguchi met at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and have performed as the AKA Duo since 2018. Currently they are studying with Professor Stefan Mendl, pianist of the Vienna Piano Trio, and Professor Peter Schuhmayer, first violinist of the Artis Quartet. The AKA Duo’s repertoire focuses on violin and piano repertoire from classical and romantic literature as well on contemporary works written for this ensemble.
The AKA Duo won the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Rospigliosi International Chamber Music Competition in Italy in 2022, and followed it in March 2023 with the First Prize and Special Prize at the Pinerolo Torino International Chamber Music Competition, one of the most important international chamber music competitions.
In July of 2023, the AKA Duo became the first Asian performers to unanimously win the First Prize, the Miłosz Magin Award and the Best Contemporary Music Performance Award at the Third International Polish Music Competition in the chamber music category. Following on this success they were invited to perform at concerts and festivals across Europe and the United States during the 2024-2025 concert season including, among others, at the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, California, Chopin and His Europe International Festival in Warsaw organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, and the Clara’s Flower Album Festival at the Vienna Musikverein.
PM
POLISH & ARGENTINE TANGOS WITH
BANDONEGRO
Program
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Libertango
Carlos Gardel (1890-1935) Por una cabeza
Jerzy Petersburski (1895-1979) ......................................................
To ostatnia niedziela [The last Sunday] Już nigdy [Nevermore]
Gerardo Matos Rodríguez (1897-1948) La Cumparsita
Henryk Wars (1902-1977)
Kochaj mnie, a będę Twoją [Love me, and I’m yours]
Mariano Mores (1918-2016) .................................................................................................... Taquito militar
Astor Piazzolla
Adiós Nonino
Marcin Antkowiak (b. 1993) Tonelero Podertango
Milonga del tiempo presente Gotango
MICHAŁ GŁÓWKA, BANDONEON/ACCORDION | JAKUB CZECHOWICZ, VIOLIN | MAREK DOLECKI, PIANO | MARCIN ANTKOWIAK, DOUBLE BASS
Steinway Piano courtesy of Tom and Kathleen Maas
EVENT SPONSOR
RECEPTION SPONSOR
Fis a world-class tango ensemble of four young and dynamic musicians, Marcin Antkowiak (double bass), and Marek Dolecki (piano), all graduates of the Music Academies in Poznań and Bydgoszcz. In addition to following the traditional Argentine tango and Tango Nuevo traditions, in their worldwide concert appearances and recordings, Bandonegro also present their own compositions and jazz-inspired arrangements featuring tango’s diverse and captivating facets that spotlight the group’s sparkling virtuosity and musicianship.
Bandonegro first gained wider recognition by winning the PIF Castelfidardo Competition in Italy in the Tango Nuevo category and subsequently conquered Poland’s biggest concert stages, including Warsaw’s Teatr Roma, Kraków’s Słowacki Theatre, Wrocław Opera, Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk, and Łódź Philharmonic, among others. Bandonegro were also enthusiastically received at leading tango festivals over thirty countries on four continents, including United States, Canada, Argentina, Taiwan, Indonesia, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and Austria.
Throughout the years Bandonegro have collaborated with outstanding artists and producers from the Latin-American scene, including Daniel Pipi Piazzolla, Rafa Sardina, Nelson Pino, Roberto Siri, José Colángelo, Clarisa Aragone & Jonathan Saavedra, and Yanina Muzyka and Emmanuel Casal. So far, Bandonegro has released five albums on Polish labels such as DUX, Sj Records, and Rec Art. Their original album, Hola Astor, combining tango with elements of jazz and rock, was hailed by critics as a revolution in the genre. Bandonegro’s upcoming release will feature original music that blends the essence of Tango Nuevo with jazz and minimal music. The recordings were made at the iconic Fortmusic Studio in Buenos Aires, with guest appearances by world-class Argentine jazz musicians, including Astor Piazzolla’s grandson, Daniel Pipi Piazzolla. Recently, the ensemble also ventured into film and theatre music with a soundtrack for the film, Tanze Tango mit mir (2021) for ARD Mediathek in Germany, and contributing their compositions to the series, Alphonse (2023), produced by Amazon Prime France.
The Bandonegro ensemble is a recipient of the President of Poznań’s Scholarship for outstanding artistic achievements and a laureate of the Young Art Medal, which honors talented artists from the Greater Poland Regions. The Embassy of Argentina in Poland has taken honorary patronage over the band’s activities.
YOUTH COMPETITION WINNERS’
RECITAL Program
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano Sonata in A major, D. 664
Sela Yarbrough, Third Place Winner, Junior Division I. Allegro moderato
Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2
Daniel Lien, Third Place Winner, I. Danza del viejo boyero [Dance of the old herdsmen]
Junior Division II. Danza de la moza donosa [Dance of the graceful girl] III. Danza del gaucho matrero [Dance of the outlaw cowboy]
Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857)
Chloe Silva, Second Place Winner, Junior Division
La séparation, Nocturne (1839)
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849) ..............................................................................
Tobin Hallum, First Place Winner, Junior Division
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941)
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Scherzo No. 1, Op. 20
Nocturne, Op. 16 no. 4
Sonatine (1905)
Anya Albright, Paderewski Legacy Award Winner, Senior Division I. Modéré
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata, Op. 2 no. 1
III. Prestissimo
Ignacy Jan Paderewski Mazurka, Op. 5 no. 2
Tim Yao, Third Place Winner, Senior Division
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) ....................................
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Noelle Hadsall, Second Place Winner, Senior Division
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807 I. Prelude
Impromptu in F major (1879)
Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50 I. Allegro
Ignacy Jan Paderewski ......................................................................................
Ellen Butler, First Place Winner, Senior Division
Steinway Piano courtesy of Tom and Kathleen Maas
Mélodie, Op. 16 no. 2
EVENT SPONSOR
YOUTH COMPETITION WINNERS’
Sela Yarbrough (15), a ninth grader at Monarch River Academy in Fresno, began studying piano at the age of three and has worked with Prof. Andreas Werz since she was six. She has performed in California and Japan, and for master classes with Garrick Ohlsson, Antoinette Perry, Marc-André Hamelin and Richard Goode. Winner of the MTA/Fresno, SoCal International Piano Competition and Gold Medalist at the Central California Baroque Festival, Sela has also been a prizewinner in the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competitions since 2021. A bilingual speaker of English and Japanese, and a Black Belt Taekwondo student, Sela loves to read and knit and hopes to travel to Europe in the future.
Daniel Lien (13), a student of Andreas Werz in Fresno, began taking piano lessons when he was four. Believing that playing piano is a way to improve himself, Daniel has performed at USC in Los Angeles and at MTA of CA Fall Festival in Fresno and won prizes at the MTA of CA Piano Solo, as well as at the CAPMT Honor Contemporary and Concerto Competitions. As a cellist, Daniel has played youth orchestra concerts and competed in CalASTA Competitions. Interested in pursuing a career as a surgeon, in his spare time Daniel enjoys reading, solving math problems, and playing tennis.
Chloe Silva (10) has pursued piano playing since kindergarten and recently joined Dr. Natasha Kislenko’s studio in Santa Barbara. Chloe has already performed in Japan, appeared at the SoCal Junior Bach Festival Showcase, and received the Aidwinkle Scholarship after competing in Santa Barbara. Her musical interests extend to playing tone chimes, singing in choirs during the holidays, and ballet.
Tobin Hallum (13) has played piano since he was six, studying with Yulia Hess, Peter Klimo, Douglas Ashcraft and Antoinette Perry. Currently he studies with Brandon Bascom in Fresno. A winner of the CA Piano Music Teachers and Sylvia M. Ghiglieri Piano Competitions, and scholarship recipient from the Idyllwild Arts Summer Academy, Tobin performs with a piano trio and as violist with the Youth Orchestra in Fresno. His other activities include golf, horseback riding, chess club, helping on his grandfather's farm, performing at a retirement home, and singing in a local choir.
Anya Albright (16) began piano when she was six and has studied with Dr. Terry Spiller in San Luis Obispo since 2020. She attended
Colburn School’s 2022 Intensive Piano Camp and the 2023 Colburn Summer Piano Seminar. A 2022 and 2023 prizewinner at the Paderewski Festival Youth Competition, Anya attends the San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, where she pursues French and Latin in addition to being a fluent Russian speaker. Regardless of her final career choice, Anya is certain that music will remain an important part of her life.
Tim Yao (16), a junior at Hanford West High School, has played piano for over a decade after being inspired by his first teachers in China, where he also participated in the Golden Bell Youth Competition. Currently Tim studies with Mr. Rycharde Gambin and is a recent prizewinner at the Fresno City Honors Competition. Passionate about helping people, Tim wants to continue his musical journey as he plans to pursue a future career in medicine. He is also active in a variety of extracurricular activities, including band, choir accompaniment, sports, community services and charity performances.
Noelle Hadsall (15) attends Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta and has played piano since she was five. Currently a student of Dr. Pascal Solomon, Noelle is MTAC Bach Festival medalist and a scholarship winner of the Santa Barbara Music Club for the past five years. Prizewinner in the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition for several years, Noelle participated in the Festival’s 2019 Cultural Exchange Program in Poland, performing in Kraków and Warsaw, attending masterclasses and spending a week at the Małopolska Talent Academy. Her community service includes giving free piano lessons to elementary school children, singing in a jazz choir, and caroling in Santa Barbara during Christmas.
Ellen Butler (16), a junior at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, studied piano for nine years with Dr. Natasha Kislenko. Recently Ellen participated in the International Youth Summer School and the Sviatoslav Richter International Music and Art Festival. Prizewinner of the Paderewski Festival Youth Competition in 2022 and 2023, the 2023 Colibri International Instrumental Competition and SoCal Junior Bach Festival, Ellen has performed with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and also received scholarships from the Santa Barbara Music Club. She enjoys playing chamber music and otherwise pursues martial arts, reading, mathematics, and science, and teaches piano and physics as her volunteer community service.
TOBIN HALLUM ANYA ALBRIGHT TIM YAO NOELLE HADSALL
A New Chapter Begins.
The Paso Robles Inn welcomes you to experience a new chapter in its storied history. Once a Victorian spa, and then a must-stop on the midcentury California roadtrip, today’s Inn has been reimagined as a relaxed, California country retreat. Come discover modern Paso in the stylish comfort of its landmark hotel.
LEARN MORE AT PASOROBLESINN.COM
PASO ROBLES INN, 1103 SPRING ST, PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA
PADEREWSKI GALA WITH THE SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Overture to the Magic Flute, KV 620
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941)
Stefan Podell (b. 1970)
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 I. Allegro II. Romanza. Andante III. Allegro molto vivace
INTERMISSION
Cayucos by the Sea [commissioned by Klaus and Monika Gottlieb]"
Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) Orchestration: Maurice Ravel (1922)
Janina Fiałkowska, piano | Andrew Sewell, conductor | San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra
Pre-concert talk in the Hall at 6:30 p.m. with composer Stefan Podell, Paderewski Festival Artistic Director Marek Zebrowski, SLO Symphony Music Director Andrew Sewell, and soloist Janina Fialkowska
GALA SPONSOR
CO-ORGANIZER
GALA CONCERT SOLOISTS
For 50 years, concert pianist Janina Fialkowska has enchanted audiences and critics around the world. She has been praised for her musical integrity, her refreshing natural approach and her unique piano sound thus becoming “one of the Grandes Dames of piano playing” (Frankfurter Allgemeine).
Born in Canada, she began her piano studies with her mother at age 4 continuing in her native Montreal with Yvonne Hubert. In Paris she studied with Yvonne Lefébure and in New York at the Juilliard School with Sascha Gorodnitzki, experiencing the best of both French and Russian piano traditions. Her career was launched in 1974, when the legendary Arthur Rubinstein became her mentor after her prize-winning performance at his inaugural Master Piano Competition, calling her a “born Chopin interpreter” laying the foundation for her lifelong identification with this composer.
Since then she has performed with the foremost orchestras worldwide under the baton of such conductors as, Bernard Haitink, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Georg Solti, and of the your generation conductors such as Klaus Mäkelä and Yannick NézetSéguin. She has won special recognition for a series of important premieres, notably Liszt’s newly discovered Third Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony and several contemporary piano concertos. Ms Fialkowska's discography includes many award-winning discs, e.g. the BBC Music Magazine’s 2013 “Instrumental CD of the Year" award as well as the Canadian "Juno Award" in 2018.
master class in Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as summer festival appearances in Germany, Canada and the US.
In October 2021 her autobiography, A Note in Time, was published to universal acclaim by Novum Publishers in London. It is now available worldwide as hard cover and e-reader. (“Mesmerizing memoir”- “A totally absorbing read” – “A volume to savour and treasure”).
Andrew Sewell begins his 8th season as the Music Director for the San Luis Obispo Symphony and his 25th season as Music Director for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. A conductor in demand, he has successfully built the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra into a regional and nationally known ensemble, and in San Luis Obispo, draws quality musicians to the area for exhilarating performances at the CalPoly Performing Arts Center.
Maestro Sewell has served previously as Music Director of the Wichita Symphony (2000-2010), Mansfield (OH) Symphony (1997-2002) and Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony (1995-2000), and Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony (1994-1995). As a guest conductor, he has led the Toronto, Detroit, Milwaukee, Florida, Columbus, Toledo, Syracuse, Illinois, Monterey, Gulf Coast and Eugene Symphony Orchestras as well as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Phiharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, Dunedin Symphony, National Symphony of Mexico, Kyushu Symphony (Japan), City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, OK Mozart Festival, Peninsula Music Festival (WI) and Masterworks Festival, Spartanburg, (SC).
Her native Canada has bestowed upon her their highest honors: “Officer of the Order of Canada”, the “Governor General’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award in Classical Music” (Canada's equivalent to the US Kennedy Centre Awards), as well as three honorary doctorates. She passes on her wide musical experience in master classes and at her annual “International Piano Academy” in Bavaria, where she now resides and makes frequent appearances as a juror of the world's most prestigious piano competitions.
Recent highlights of her performing career include festival appearances at the Klavierfestival Ruhr, the Berlin Piano Festival and the Klavierfruehling Deutschlandsberg among others in Germany and Austria, as well as concerts in England, Northen Ireland and Wales, in Croatia and her annual tours of Canada and the US. Upcoming concerts include a recital at London’s Cadogan Hall, a recital and
A native of New Zealand, Maestro Sewell received his music training on the violin, piano and cornet, and began conducting at age 16. Six years later, he made his professional opera debut with the Mercury Opera and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Winning the Australian Guarantee Corporation’s Young Achiever’s Award allowed him to further his studies abroad. Sewell holds a Master of Music degree with Honors in Conducting from the University of Michigan.
Sewell was the first recipient of the NZ Aotea Performing Arts “Star” Award. In 2017, he was awarded the Service to Music Award from the Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras and in 2013, the Rabin Arts Youth Award for Individual Achievement, by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, for his services to youth and education.
11:00 AM PARK BALLROOM
YOUTH EXCHANGE CONCERT OF THE FESTIVAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) ...............................................
Prelude and Fugue in D major, Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Vol. II
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1
Etude in B minor, Op. 25 no. 10
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14
Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Vol. I
Fryderyk Chopin ............................................................... Polonaise in C-sharp minor, Op. 26 no. 1
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Prelude in D minor, Op. 1 no. 2
Etude No. 1 from Ten Piano Etudes (1956)
George Gershwin (1898-1937) .....................................................................
Three Preludes (1926)
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Andante con moto e poco rubato
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Dymitr Szostak, piano
Steinway Piano courtesy of Tom and Kathleen Maas
EXCHANGE SPONSOR
BRUNCH SPONSORS
Born in 2010, Józef Wesołowski began his musical education at the age of seven, under the guidance of Ewa Włodarczyk. Currently, he attends the Feliks Nowowiejski General Primary and Secondary Music School in Gdańsk, and studies piano with Professor Adrianna Wolf. Over the past few years, Józef performed at numerous concerts, including at the Gdańsk Music Academy, Baltic Philharmonic, Gdańsk Old City Hall, and at the Baltic Sea Cultural Center as well as in a showcase “Young Academy of Music Talents” highlighting the most talented students in the Pomerania Region.
In addition to concert appearances, Józef’s participation in several competitions brought him top honors, including first prizes at the Elbląg Piano Competition (2023), Miastko Piano Competition (2023), Melcer Piano Competition (2023), Poznań Piano Competition (2022), as well as the Second Prize at the Zarębski Music Competition (2022), and the Third Prize at the Lidzbark Chopin Piano Competition (2023).
Józef’s impressive academic and artistic achievements have been recognized with several prestigious scholarships, including the Pomeranian Region Marshal’s Scholarship, Minister of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship, and the President of the City of Gdańsk Scholarship.
Dymitr Aleksander Szostak (b. 2008) began studying piano at the age of seven at the Paderewski Secondary Music School in Kraków with Professor Jolanta Tarnowska. Later he worked with distinguished Polish and foreign pianists, including Beata Bilińska, Bradley C. Bolen, Andrzej Jasiński, Joanna Ławrynowicz, Olga Łazarska, Mauricio Martin, Alicja Paleta-Bugaj, Andrzej Tatarski, and Aleksandra Žvirblytė, among others. Dymitr’s interest in other keyboard instruments led him to study organ with Professor Janusz Ostrowski, and harpsichord with professors Urszula Bartkiewicz, Nicholas Parle and Siebe Henstra. He also pursued basics of jazz piano and harmony with professors Filip Wojciechowski and Sebastian Bernatowicz.
During the past few years, Dymitr attended the Summer National Piano Workshops in Krynica-Zdrój, Małopolska Talent Academy in Łącko, Penderecki Academy of Music in Lusławice, and the Pistoia Masterclass Internzionali di Music in Italy. In addition, Dymitr Szostak is a member of the Youth Meloarte Orchestra, an ensemble dedicated to performances of film and popular music.
Award winner at over fifty national and international competitions, Dymitr is the recipient of Wieliczka County Scholarship, Małopolska Regional Scholarship, and Kraków City President Award holder for the past five years. In addition, he received the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage scholarships in 2022 and 2023, and the 2022 Małopolska Carolus 2022 Artificem Commendat Opus Award.
Besides music, Dymitr’s great passion is military history and in April 2023 he received a Third Prize for his essay, “Polish Soldiers in the Fight for Liberation of Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands during World War II.” In his free time, he swims, reads books, plays football and chess. Currently, Dymitr studies piano at the Chopin Secondary Music School in Kraków with Prof. Gajusz Kęska and harpsichord with Prof. Andrzej Zawisza.
THE 2023 PADEREWSKI FESTIVAL IN PASO ROBLES WISHES TO THANK THE FOLLOWING:
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
• Bovino Vineyards – Friday Reception Sponsor
• Cass Vineyard & Winery
• Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles
• Epoch Estate Wines – Saturday Gala Concert/Reception Sponsor
• J Lohr Vineyards and Wine – Sunday Reception Sponsor
• Tom and Kathleen Maas, Pear Valley Vineyards – Concert Piano Donor
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland – Cultural Exchange Sponsor
• Park Ballroom – Key Sponsor
• Paso Robles Inn
• Paso Robles Press and 13 Stars Media
• POLAM Federal Credit Union
• Polish Cultural Institute, New York – Visa & Travel Sponsor
• Polish National Institute of Music and Dance – Thursday Artist Sponsor
• SLO County Office of Education – Youth Competition Winners’ Recital
• SLO County Board of Supervisors
• SummerWood Winery and Inn – Thursday Concert/Reception Sponsor
• Travel Paso
• USC Polish Music Center, Thornton School of Music
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Marjorie Hamon, President
• Cathy David, Secretary
• John Fisher, Treasurer
• Marek Zebrowski, Artistic Director
• Melissa Chavez
• Krysta Close
• India D'Avignon
• Jenna Martinez
STAFF
• Gracie Rey - Festival Event Manager
• Grace Seng - Youth Piano Competition Coordinator
• Becca Lancaster - Social Media and Design Assistant
ADVISORY BOARD
• Brian Asher Alhadeff
• Steve Cass, Festival Co-Founder
• Debbie Lagomarsino
• Francie Levy
• Ashley Lorenz
• Norma Moye
• Joel Peterson
• Cri Cri Solak-Eastin
• Debbie VanSteenwyk
FESTIVAL SUPPORTERS
• Brian Alexander
• Bill and Liz Armstrong
• Supervisor Debbie Arnold –District 5 San Luis Obispo County
• Adam Bala, Polish-Ukrainian Paderewski Foundation
• Blythe Family
• Boy Scout Troop 60
• Meredith Brammeier, Cal Poly SLO
• Scott and Beth Brennan, Paso Robles Daily News and A-Town Daily News
• Superintendent James Brescia, SLO County Office of Education
• Hon. Mark Brzezinski and staff, US Embassy - Warsaw
• Steve and Alice Cass
• City of Paso Robles
• Lech Dzierżanowski, National Institute of Music and Dance
• Dir. Anna Feliks, Polish National Museum - Otwock Wielki
• Marcin Fidos, Riff Piano Salon / Steinway & Sons - Warsaw
• Mateusz Gmura, Consul for Culture of the Republic of Poland in L.A.
• Anna Godlewska, Deputy Director, Department of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Marcin Gorayski, National Institute of Music and Dance
• Janet Joichi, Ph. D., Youth Competition Judge
• Corey Jordan and Katelyn Smith, LIBRETTO
• Jan Kalinowski, Marek Szlezer and Aleksandra Kuzemko, Porta Musicae & Małopolska Talent Academy
• Hon. Paulina Kapuścińska, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in L.A.
• Dir. Dominika Kasprowicz, Villa Decius – Kraków
• Eun Young Kim, 2024 Cultural Exchange Program host
• Ashley Lorenz, Encompass Paso Robles
• Santos and Carole MacDonal, Il Cortile Ristorante
• Grzegorz Mania and Piotr Różański, Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association
• Henryk Martenka, Int’l Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz
• Nicholas and Haley Mattson, Paso Magazine and Paso Robles Press
• Teresa McWilliams
• Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara
• Hon. Erin Nickerson and staff, US Consulate – Kraków
• Karolina Ogrodowska, National Institute of Music and Dance
• Anna Perzanowska, Polish Cultural Institute New York
• Supervisor John Peschong – District 1 San Luis Obispo County
• Pioneer Museum in Paso Robles
• Polish American Congress of Southern California
• Polish Center in Los Angeles
• Michael Purtell, 2024 Cultural Exchange Program host
• Ken and Marilyn Riding
• San Luis Obispo Symphony, Maestro Andrew Sewell –Music Director
• Heidi Sealy, tax preparer
• Dr. Andrzej Sitarz, Paderewski Institute of MusicologyJagiellonian University, Kraków
• The Blueprinter
• The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens
• Jutta Thorne
• Debbie and Brett VanSteenwyk
PLEASE SUPPORT THESE PROUD PADEREWSKI FESTIVAL SPONSORS
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
Paderewski Vineyard
SHARED GROUND. SHARED DREAM.
Epoch Estate Wines first planted its Paderewski Vineyard in 2004 on land once owned by Ignacy Paderewski himself. As stewards of this historic property, Epoch crafts estategrown wines that are delicious, complex, seriously fun to drink, and, most importantly, memory-making. Join them on their Epoch journey!
