Maryland pianist Ganz is trying to be the first person to perform all of Frederic Chopin’s works in an Extreme Chopin series held at the Music Center of Strathmore. The 51-year-old’s next concert is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m.
How far have you gotten so far?
This is the second of the series and the whole project will take about 10 years. I’ve [already] played about two-thirds of [his] 250 pieces. There are plenty of pieces that are brand-new, and some of them are very hard. I definitely have my work cut out for me.
What drew you to Chopin?
I think it was his extraordinary gift for melody; he has very mysterious and soulful harmonies. The mazurkas [similar to a polka] were what intrigued me the most — something about that spoke to me at a very deep level and I was hooked. I heard these pieces and thought, “I want to do that.” That was the fuel in my tank, so to speak, and I made it my lifelong goal to play the works of Chopin.
How did you start playing piano?
I’ve been playing piano since I was 9 [years old] and I’m now 51. That’s 42 years and I’ve barely made a dent in my piano literature. My grandfather was my earliest inspiration. I used to go up to north central Pennsylvania and I’d sit in awe and watch him play. I started lessons at 9 and I fell madly in love early with Chopin.
Tell us about one of the pieces you’ll be playing Saturday.
I’m playing a “Polonaise-Fantaisie” [in A-Flat Major, Op. 61], where the two themes come together. It’s a very, very beautiful piece that I only recently came to appreciate, and now I can see just want an incredible work it is. … I don’t think I realized that the listener is required to dream with Chopin.
– Liz Farmer
