The 2017 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles features Gala Concert performer Magdalena Baczewska. a New York-based Polish pianist and Columbia University professor. Courtesy photo

Festival takes place in venues throughout Paso Robles, Nov. 2-5

–The 2017 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles celebrates the legacy of Paso Robles’ most famous resident, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, virtuoso pianist, composer, international politician, local landowner, grower and winemaker, with four days of concerts and special events featuring internationally-renowned performers. Held in venues throughout Paso Robles from Nov. 2-5, the 2017 Festival lineup includes performances by young pianists from California’s Central Coast, as well as a piano master class and wine tasting opportunities.

This year’s Saturday, Nov. 4 Gala Concert performer is New York-based Polish pianist and Columbia University professor Magdalena Baczewska. An international piano competition winner and recording artist, Ms. Baczewska will present a program of Paderewski, Chopin and Szymanowski at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. Gala Concert sponsor Epoch Estate Wines will pour wines prior to the concert. The concert will also include a video montage of nine finalists from New York City and Los Angeles and an award presentation of the winner of the Paderewski Cycle project, a national juried competition calling for “treatments” for a musical script about Paderewski sponsored by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw.

Admission to concerts ranges from free for children under 18 (with paid adult ticket) to $45 for premium admission, $35 for general admission, $25 for seniors over 60 and wine industry, and $5 for students 18 and over with ID. Friends of Paderewski Festival Passes with preferred seating at all events are $225. Paderewski Patrons with reserved front row seats and parking by name are $500. Tickets may be purchased online at www.paderewskifest.com or by calling (805) 235-5409.

The 2017 Festival opens on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Cass Winery with Café Musique featuring a “wild classical” evening with gypsy, swing, tango and folk tunes performed by Brynn Albanese (violin/vocals), Duane Inglish (accordion), Craig Nuttycombe (guitar/vocals), Fred Murray (bass/vocals), and Eric Williams (guitar/ukulele/bouzouki/vocals). A no-host reception with Cass wines and a gourmet meal available for purchase will precede the concert.

On Friday, Nov. 3 at the historic Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles, Ms. Baczewska will share her expertise with young Central Coast pianists at a 2 p.m. piano master class; the event is free and open to piano students and the general public.

Friday evening will also feature a jazz trio concert of American Jazz Standards by Polish composers. Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Darek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz, and percussionist Tina Raymond will present classic tunes by Victor Young, Bronny Kaper, and Henry Vars – including “On Green Dolphin Street” and “Stella by Starlight” – at the Park Ballroom at 7 p.m.

The Youth Piano Competition Winners’ Recital is on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. in the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. Admission is free. Promoting music appreciation and fostering growth of local young talent are important goals of the Paderewski Festival. It was Paderewski’s wish to establish a music school in Paso Robles with free tuition for all students. Although his plans did not materialize during Paderewski’s lifetime, since 2007 the Festival has organized a Youth Piano Competition for pianists residing in four Central Coast counties. Winners of this year’s auditions (to be held on Oct. 21) will be presented at the Winners’ Recital.

On Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m., Paderewski Patrons and Friends of Paderewski will be treated to an exclusive program featuring a tour, tasting, and brunch at Epoch Estate Wines’ new York Mountain tasting facility, as well as a premiere Paderewski Cycle musical presentation and discussion with Adam Mickiewicz Institute organizers and the musical creative team.

Sponsors of 2017 Paderewski Festival include Epoch Estate Wines, Derby Wine Estates, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Travel Paso Robles Alliance, the Polish Consulate of Los Angeles, and the Polish American Congress of Southern California.

To purchase tickets, and for information about Ignacy Jan Paderewski and the non-profit Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, please visit the festival’s website.