The Westport Arts Center Presents Janina Fialkowska’s Farewell Recital on Nov. 3

Pianist and longtime Fairfield County resident, Janina Fialkowska, has been described as a "born Chopin interpreter" by her mentor Arthur Rubinstein. The London Times has called her playing "magical." She has thrilled audiences all over the world and on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m., she will return to the Pequot Library for a farewell recital before moving overseas.

The performance, presented by the Westport Arts Center, will be Ms. Fialkowska's last New England performance before she moves to Germany. Russell Platt, curator of the Westport Arts Center's Chamber Music series, says of Fialkowska, "I am especially looking forward to hearing her play several of Grieg's seldom-heard 'Lyric Pieces,' lovely miniatures that distill the late-Romantic spirit to its essence—in fact, she's learned one especially at my request. The second half is all-Chopin, giving us an opportunity to survey the ultimate piano composer's many moods and styles."

Ms. Fialkowska's repertory of Chopin has been lauded by critics worldwide. Her CD "Chopin Recital," released in 2010, made the Gramophone classic charts, was included in London's Sunday Times Top 10 "Best classical recordings of the year," and received a nomination for the "International Classical Music Award 2011." She has performed all over the world with some of the world's foremost orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra and has appeared as a guest artist with the Royal Philharmonic, the Scottish National Orchestra, as well as the Warsaw Philharmonic.

In early 2002, Ms. Fialkowska discovered a large tumor in her left arm. This did not keep her from performing. She transcribed the Ravel and Prokofiev "concertos for the left hand" and performed them solely with her right, all while undergoing several surgeries. In 2004, she returned triumphantly to the stage to play again with both hands.

A reception at Artesan Restaurant at the Delmar Hotel with Janina Fialkowska will follow the concert, hosted by Lance Lundberg and Joyce and David Thompson. Special $45 tickets can be purchased for admittance to the concert and the reception. Tickets to the concert cost $25 for adults; $10 for students with a valid I.D. and are available in advance at (203) 222-7070 and westportartscenter.org, or at the door 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. A limited number of $15 tickets will be available for presale at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, (21 Imperial Ave. in Westport).

For more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070 or westportartscenter.org. Located at 51 Riverside Ave. in Westport, gallery is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 - 4 p.m.