Our Spotlight on the Arts for March 2026 shines brightly on classical pianist Brian Ganz!
How long have you been involved in your art form? What have been your past and/or present inspirations?
I began studying the piano in 1970 at the age of 9. My maternal grandfather was my first inspiration, as he was a fine pianist and owned a grand piano. I watched and listened to him in awe!
My grandfather gifted us with an upright piano that I used for my first years of lessons. I quickly fell in love with the music of the Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin and dreamed of playing it someday.
I’ll never forget how thrilled I was when my teacher assigned me my first piece of Chopin, the “Minute” waltz, when I was 10. My love of Chopin was the “fuel” in my tank. I listened to Guiomar Novaes’s recordings of the Mazurkas, Witold Malczewski’s recordings of the Ballades, and Ingrid Haebler’s recording of the Waltzes. Then I discovered Artur Rubinstein, and he became my Chopin “muse,” the pianist I always turned to for inspiration and education.
Do you have a favorite style or other favorite aspect of your work?
I am most drawn to the music of the early Romantics, especially Chopin, of course, and late Classical composers, especially the works of Ludwig van Beethoven.
After I complete my 16-year journey through the complete works of Chopin this spring, I will begin a similarly long journey through the complete solo piano sonatas and piano-inclusive chamber music of Beethoven, also with the partnership of the National Philharmonic.
I am savoring every note of my Chopin finale, but am also anticipating with eager excitement the Beethoven journey, which will begin next year, which is the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death.
What is your connection to St. Mary’s College of Maryland?
I started teaching piano as an adjunct instructor in the fall of 1986. My dear sister was attending college, and I loved visiting her and fell in love with the institution.
When the head of the Arts and Letters division reached out to invite me to apply for the position of piano instructor, I was thrilled. My sister and I actually overlapped for one semester before she graduated! I knew right away that I had found my artistic home. This spring I will complete my 40th year teaching here, and I like to say the honeymoon still isn’t over!
What are your other interests outside of piano?
Spirituality is at the center of my life, and I have studied and meditated with the book A Course in Miracles since I was 18 years old. I teach an online class related to this book and love that experience.
I love reading and often say that heaven would be eternity in an infinite library with a piano, garden, coffee machine, and lots of friends and family! For relaxation, I adore the game of chess, especially over the board rather than online.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
I am thrilled to have recently been engaged to a wonderful Polish woman named Basia Bernhardt. She runs the Washington DC center of The Ko?ciuszko Foundation, which promotes Polish culture in the U.S. You can probably guess how we met!
Upcoming Events
My concerts at St. Mary’s College of Maryland for Spring 2026 include PianoTalks on February 24, March 10, and March 31 at 11:20 AM and April 15 at 8 PM at the Recital Hall of the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center.
On April 2nd, I will play my only full-length evening recital of the semester at the Concert Hall at 7 PM, which will include the complete program of the finale of my journey through Chopin’s works. The actual finale itself, at the Music Center at Strathmore, will take place on April 11, 2026.
Thank you, Brian, for sharing your story and being a valued member of our creative community!
Links of interest:
- Brian Ganz website – www.brianganz.net
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland website (Nancy R. & Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center) – www.smcm.edu/dodge-performing-arts-center/
Music Center of Strathmore – www.strathmore.org/community-education/our-partners/national-philharmonic/natphil-brian-ganz-plays-chopin/