The end of February usually brings annual Chopin celebrations, and this year is no exception. Since 2015 marks the 205th anniversary of Chopin’s birth, a truly special event on February 23—encompassing a film screening and Q&A session with the artists—is planned for all fans of Polish music in Southern California. A Steinway Concert Artist and veritable one-man orchestra, Hershey Felder is a Canadian pianist, composer, actor, playwright, producer and director who, over the past decade, has appeared worldwide in a number of very successful shows centered on the most prominent musicians. A few years ago, Felder’s one-man show Monsieur Chopin had a very successful run at the Geffen Theatre in Westwood. Felder has also produced and starred as George Gershwin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt and, most recently, Irving Berlin. In all of his composer-themed shows, Felder recreates the private living quarters of these great musicians; his performances—a free-wheeling monologue interspersed with musical interludes he provides at the piano—conjure up the intimate and unforgettable impression of attending a private soiree with the artist in question.
On Monday, February 23, Hershey Felder will join British documentary filmmaker and director Phil Grabsky for the L.A. premiere of their film In Search of Chopin, the latest of Mr. Grabsky’s documentaries focused on the lives of famous composers. His previous films—In Search of Mozart, In Search of Haydn, and In Search of Beethoven—were enthusiastically received by the public and press across the world. Mr. Grabsky’s latest film in the series focuses on Chopin and features Mr. Felder in the title role of Frederic Chopin. This film screening is free but seating is limited in the Gindi Auditorium of the American Jewish University, so reservations must be made. The event begins at 7:00 p.m., with Mr. Felder and Mr. Grabsky will be on hand for a Q & A session after the screening.
Monday, February 23, 2015 | 7:00 p.m.
In Search of Chopin – Film Screening and Q&A
Gindi Auditorium of the American Jewish University
15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Tickets are FREE, but seating is limited and a reserved ticket is required for entry into the auditorium
Info & Reservations: www.aju.edu
[Sources: press release, aju.edu]