Thaddeus Kozuch - concert pianist, teacher, lecturer, scholar, composer ... a "Brilliant Piano Virtuoso"
Chopin's music was Thaddeus Kozuch's specialty, representing the largest part of his recorded legacy.
This Chopin Scherzo #2 performance was from the last public recital by Thaddeus Kozuch in October 1986 at the St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids Michigan.
Multiple studio and live concert recordings of Chopin's works are provided on our website, to present differences in musical interpretation or when selecting just one proved too challenging.
In a sense, Mr. Kozuch made a "full circle" return to St. Cecilia in Grand Rapids Michigan with this recital, where he played one of his first formal public performances nearly 50 years earlier before his 1940 Chicago debut.
Scherzo
Opus 31 No. 2
Here are collections of Chopin Ballades numbers 1, 2, and 4.
Chopin's Opus 23 No. 1 G minor Ballade was performed by 72 year-old pianist Thaddeus Kozuch in recital at Moraine Valley Community College, Sunday afternoon March 10, 1985.
The musical score is presented in this VIDEO along with the recording, in one of Kozuch's last public performances of this famous Ballade.
Chopin Ballades are some of the most important and challenging pieces in the standard piano repertoire ... here interpreted by Thaddeus Kozuch.
Here are two studio recordings of the same Chopin Ballade #1 from Opus 23, performed nearly 40 years apart by pianist Thaddeus Kozuch. The first one is from 1947 (recorded directly to the disc as was the practice back then) and the second is from 1986.
Ballade #1 (1835)
Often simply described as so-called keyboard "exercises", Thaddeus Kozuch in these recordings illustrates how he draws out their musicality.
VIDEO: Chopin Etude Opus 25 No. 3
Etude
Opus 25 No.3
Thaddeus Kozuch often warmed up with the "Horseman" Etude in F Major.
Kozuch was 73 years old when he made this March 28, 1986 home studio video recording.
1963 RECORDINGs DISCOVERED
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We discovered a rare 1963 tape of music recorded in Thaddeus Kozuch's first home studio on Kedvale Avenue in Chicago. Made by a family friend, the original audio was from a poor quality reel-to-reel tape machine. These recordings required extensive noise reduction, equalization, and pitch corrections to properly match the true pitch of the piano. Under these circumstances, the improved sound quality is acceptable.
Again, these recordings illustrate how Thaddeus Kozuch draws out the musicality from what are simply described as so-called keyboard "exercises". There is also a 1986 studio recording at the end of the playlist.
Please note: The Etude Opus 10 No. 3 is incomplete and is included because it is Thaddeus Kozuch's only recording of this very famous etude.
Etude
Collection
This initially gentle tune leads into a driving steamroller-like middle theme, followed by rather spritely finger work before ending peacefully.
Here is Chopin's Impromptu Opus 36 No. 2 from a 1947 studio disc.
Unlike today's studio recordings that allow many retakes and editing, the music recorded in 1947 was done directly to disc without an opportunity to correct musical phrasing or missed notes.
Impromtu
Opus 36 No. 2
VIDEO: Mazurka Opus 41 No. 2 in E minor (1839)
On March 26, 1986 Thaddeus Kozuch made a series of home studio videos that included this Chopin Mazurka and music of Ravel, Muczynski, and Ginastera.
Our mother Jacqueline Kozuch once remarked:
Of all the music, by so many different composers, from all of his performances, whether in the studio, concert hall or auditorium, and throughout the entirety of his life, ... it is the Chopin Mazurkas that stand out as Thaddeus Kozuch's greatest musical achievement and represent a snapshot of his lifelong musical journey.
Mazurka
Opus 41 No. 2
VIDEO: Mazurka Opus 56 No. 3 in C minor (1844)
This performance is from Mr. Kozuch's final DePaul University Faculty recital in 1979.
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​Opus 56-3 was Kozuch's most beloved and favorite Mazurka. Chopin Mazurkas were often recognized as particular specialties of virtuoso pianist Thaddeus Kozuch. The musical score is included in this VIDEO.
Mazurka
Opus 56 No. 3
Chopin Mazurka collection of recital and studio AUDIO recordings.
Jacqueline Kozuch's favorite Mazurka was the Opus 41-2
Thaddeus Kozuch's favorite Mazurka was the Opus 56-3
Mazurka
Collection
( updated )
Here is a link to the "Concert Miniature" 78rpm 1947 disc recordings and Chopin Mazurkas Opus 7-3 and 41-1.
Chopin Nocturnes are a staple of the classical piano repertoire ... and a Thaddeus Kozuch specialty.
VIDEO: Chopin Nocturne Opus 9 No. 1 in Bâ™ minor
Nocturne
Opus 9 No. 1
( studio video )
This 1986 home studio recording is an example of Thaddeus Kozuch's reflective and sensitive playing. Performed many times during his lifetime, Kozuch's Nocturne performances were always eagerly welcomed.
This Chopin Nocturne Opus 9 #1 performance was from the last public recital given by Thaddeus Kozuch in October 1986 at the St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids Michigan.
Mr. Kozuch made a "full circle" return to St. Cecilia in Grand Rapids Michigan with this recital, where he played one of his first formal public performances nearly 50 years earlier before his 1940 Chicago debut.
Nocturne
Opus 9 No. 1
( 1986 recital )
In 1947 this recording of the Chopin Nocturne Opus 62 #1 in B Major was made by Thaddeus Kozuch in a commercial recording studio directly onto 78rpm disc.
This "old sounding" audio recording is from 1947, yet musically its message can be clearly understood. Recording was done directly to disc with no opportunity for editing.
Nocturne
Opus 62 No. 1
( 1947 studio
78 rpm disc)
This Chopin Nocturne in C# minor Opus Posthumous (published 1875) was recorded in Thaddeus Kozuch's home studio on March 28, 1986.
Chopin dedicated this work to his older sister Ludwika Chopin "... as an exercise before beginning the study of my second Concerto". Published 21 years after the composer's death, the work is often referred to as Lento con gran espressione (from its tempo marking). It is sometimes also called Reminiscence.
Thaddeus Kozuch at the beach in Saugatuck Michigan with his dog Wolfy.
Nocturne
Opus Posthumus
( 1986 studio )
Thaddeus Kozuch (of course) performed all of Chopin's Polonaises.
This performance is from Thaddeus Kozuch's 1974 DePaul University Faculty Recital.
Chopin's "Heroic" Polonaise Opus 53 in Aâ™ Major was performed by 76 year-old pianist Thaddeus Kozuch in a 1989 home studio video for the Polish Arts Club of Chicago, then re-broadcast during the American Solidarity TV Telethon.
This was one of Kozuch's very last public performances at this very historic time in Poland's & world history.
In the loudest passages there is some slight distortion that doesn't in any way affect the musical impact.
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"Heroic"
Polonaise
Opus 53 (1989)
This is one of the very last performances given by Thaddeus Kozuch,
for Poland's 1989
American Solidarity TV Telethon
1963 RECORDINGs DISCOVERED
​
We discovered a rare 1963 tape of music recorded in Thaddeus Kozuch's first home studio on Kedvale Avenue in Chicago. Given by a family friend, the original audio was from a poor quality reel-to-reel tape machine. These recordings required extensive noise reduction, equalization, and pitch corrections to properly match the true pitch of the piano. Under these circumstances, the improved sound quality is acceptable.
Polonaise
Opus 26 No.1
Franz Liszt : "Chopin's Preludes are compositions of an order entirely apart... they are poetic preludes, analogous to those of a great contemporary poet, who cradles the soul in golden dreams..."
Musicologist Henry Finck : "if all piano music in the world were to be destroyed, excepting one collection, my vote should be cast for Chopin's Preludes."
Biographer Jeremy Nicholas : "even on their own, the 24 Preludes would have ensured Chopin's claim to immortality."
Chopin
Preludes
Opus 28
Audiences enthusiastically looked forward with anticipation whenever Thaddeus Kozuch scheduled a performance of Chopin's Preludes ... which are a fundamental staple of the classical piano repertoire ... and a Kozuch "tour de force" presentation.
This performance is mostly from the 1975 DePaul University Faculty Recital, at which he also performed the 12 Debussy Preludes of Book 1.
Thaddeus Kozuch performs Chopin's famous Sonata #2
The third movement is the well-known Funeral March.
This performance is from the Thaddeus Kozuch 1980 Copernicus Foundation Benefit recital
held at the old DePaul University concert hall in the Lincoln Park campus.