Byron Janis (born on March 24th, 1928 with McKeesport, in Pennsylvania) is an American pianist .
Biography
Byron Janis is born on March 24th, 1928 with McKeesport, in Pennsylvania, Jewish parents of Europe of the East emigrated with the the United States. Its name, Janis, are a deformation of Yanks, diminutive of Yankelevitch. Very quickly, the gifts of the Byron young person, appear. It begins lessons with Abraham Litow, then it progresses so quickly that it is presented to the Lhévinne couple, of which he becomes the pupil as of the eight years age. But Lhévinne being very occupied by their concerts, they delegate the teaching of the Byron young person to Adèle Marcus, who will give him lessons lasting 6 years. Janis makes its beginnings with the 9 years age to Pittsburgh. 15 years, he plays for the first time with orchestra, in the concerto n° 2 of Rachmaninov, part which he takes again some time afterwards under the direction of the young person Lorin Maazel. Vladimir Horowitz, in the public, is filled with enthusiasm by the service of Janis, and takes it as raises. It is besides one of the only pupils whom one knows with the large pianist. To be able to follow regular lessons, it must follow the Master in rounds around the world, and gives itself several concerts, in particular with the Brésil. When Janis reaches its twenty years, Horowitz decides more to give him lesson. Then begin for the young pianist a career from itinerant virtuoso, who brings it in particular to London, where he again plays the concerto n°2 of Rachmaninov.
In 1960, it is selected to represent the the United States within the framework of an cultural exchange with the the USSR. It thus carries out a round in the USSR, and goes back two years there later, to play there, in the same evening the concerto of Schumann, the n°1 of Rachmaninov, and the n°3 of Prokofiev. The success in the concert encourages the American studios Mercury to send material to the site to record aforesaid the concerti of Rachmaninov and Prokofiev. End of the Years 1960 mark the apogee of the career of Janis, which carries out up to 100 concerts per annum. However, one reproaches him for becoming a copy of Horowitz, it with what Janis answers with honesty that by intend to play its Master, it knew its phrased by heart, and tended, when it was younger, indeed to copy these manners. In 1967, the pianist is placed under the projectors because it finds by chance two unknown manuscripts of waltz of Chopin. This history starts the idea of a telefilm on the life of Chopin, whom it turns shortly after 1970.
In 1973, Byron Janis starts to suffer from Arthrose on the level of the hands. However, it continues to occur on scene, and to teach, activity which already occupies it since ten years. But starting from 1984, vis-a-vis the failure of the remedies against osteoarthritis, it consumes various drugs to alleviate the pain. Pain physical, but so moral, which slowly leads the pianist towards a depression. It is only in 1985 that it decides to speak publicly about its disease, at the time of a dinner organized in its honor with the White House. Consequently, he becomes ambassador of the Foundation against Arthritis, and finds energy and the force necessary to continue his career, grace also to effective care.
He receives the highest rewards in many countries, and he is in particular named commander of the Legion of honor and commander of Arts and Lettres in France. Many rewards discographics are also decreed to him. Lastly, it receives the highest distinction of the Université Yale in 1997.
Discography
Byron Janis especially recorded large the concerti of the repertory (Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Liszt, Tchaïkovski…) but few parts for piano alone. Notable exception: the Tableaux of an exposure of Moussorgski, which leave only in 1994 whereas the pianist had recorded them front. In 1996, it records a Chopin recital for EMI, and in 1998, a Chopin recital/Liszt. Its activity of type-setter is less known: it composes in 1989 the music of documentary on Gary Cooper, of which it married the girl. It composes also much in a style pop. Remain that Janis is considered, with nearly 80 years, like one of more large pianists alive, as proves it the box which is devoted to him in the collection of the Grands Pianists of the XXe century , at Philips.