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{{short description|American classical pianist}}
{{Short description|American classical pianist (1928–2024)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=February 2018}}
{{COI|date=February 2018}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2018}}
{{sources|date=March 2024}}
}}
}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Byron Janis
| name = Byron Janis
| image = Byron Janis 1962.JPG
| image = Byron Janis 1962.JPG
| caption = Janis in 1962
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Janis (1962)
| birth_name = Byron Yanks
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|3|24}}
| birth_name = Byron Yanks
⚫
| birth_place = [[McKeesport, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1928|3|24}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|3|14|1928|3|24}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[McKeesport]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| occupation = American [[classical music|classical]] [[pianist]]
| occupation = [[Classical music|classical]] [[pianist]]
| years_active= 1940–present
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| years_active = 1940–2024
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|June Dickson Wright<br>|1953|1965|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|June Dickson Wright<br>|1953|1965|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Maria Cooper<br>|1966|}}
* {{marriage|Maria Cooper<br>|1966|}}
}}
}}
| children = 1
| children = 1
| family = [[Gary Cooper]] (father-in-law)<br>[[Veronica Cooper]] (mother-in-law)
| family = [[Gary Cooper]] (father-in-law)<br>[[Veronica Cooper]] (mother-in-law)
| website = {{URL|http://www.byronjanis.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.byronjanis.com}}
}}
}}


'''Byron Janis''' (born March 24, 1928) is an American classical pianist. He made several recordings for [[RCA Victor]] and [[Mercury Records]], and occupies two volumes of the Philips series ''Great Pianists of the 20th Century''. His discography covers repertoire from Bach to David W. Guion and includes major piano concertos from Mozart to Rachmaninoff and Liszt to Prokofiev.
'''Byron Janis''' (né '''Yanks'''; March 24, 1928 – March 14, 2024) was an American classical pianist. He made numerous recordings for [[RCA Victor]] and [[Mercury Records]], and occupies two volumes of the Philips series ''Great Pianists of the 20th Century''. His discography covered repertoire from Bach to David W. Guion and included major piano concertos from Mozart to Rachmaninoff and Liszt to Prokofiev.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Janis is the youngest of two children of Hattie Horelick and Samuel Yankilevitch, who had shortened his surname to Yanks after emigrating to America.<ref name ="Pula">Drobnicki, John. (2011). "Janis, Byron," in ''The Polish American Encyclopedia''. Ed. [[James S. Pula]]. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 201-202.</ref> After demonstrating perfect pitch on a toy xylophone in kindergarten, Janis studied with Abraham Litow until he was 8 years old.<ref name="Pula" /><ref>"Nurturing Creativity in the Next Generation", Byron Janis, Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2010, page D7</ref> Byron moved to New York with his mother and sister in 1936 to study with [[Josef Lhévinne|Josef]] and [[Rosina Lhévinne]], and a year later, he began studying with their associate, [[Adele Marcus]], who would remain his teacher for six years.<ref name="Pula" /> Byron Yanks made his recital debut in 1937 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, and a year later, his musical sponsor, Samuel Chotzinoff, persuaded him to change his name to Byron Jannes - he would later change the spelling to Janis.<ref name="Pula" />
Janis was born '''Byron Yanks''' in [[McKeesport, Pennsylvania]], on March 24, 1928, the younger of two children of Hattie Horelick and Samuel Yankilevitch, who had shortened his surname to Yanks after emigrating to America, before finally setting on the surname Janis.<ref name = Kozinn>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/arts/music/byron-janis-dead.html|title = Byron Janis, Pianist of Romantic Passion, Dies at 95|last = Kozinn|first = Allan|date = March 17, 2024|accessdate = March 17, 2024|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited}}</ref><ref name ="Pula">Drobnicki, John. (2011). "Janis, Byron," in ''The Polish American Encyclopedia''. Ed. [[James S. Pula]]. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 201-202.</ref> After demonstrating perfect pitch on a toy xylophone in kindergarten, Janis studied with Abraham Litow until he was 8 years old.<ref name="Pula" /><ref>"Nurturing Creativity in the Next Generation", Byron Janis, Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2010, page D7</ref> Byron moved to New York with his mother and sister in 1936 to study with [[Josef Lhévinne|Josef]] and [[Rosina Lhévinne]], and a year later, he began studying with their associate, [[Adele Marcus]], who would remain his teacher for six years.<ref name="Pula" /> Byron Yanks made his recital debut in 1937 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, and a year later, his musical sponsor, Samuel Chotzinoff, persuaded him to change his name to Byron Jannes - he would later change the spelling to Janis.<ref name="Pula" />


After attending one of Janis' concerts in Pittsburgh 1944, at which he played [[Sergei Rachmaninoff|Rachmaninoff]]'s [[Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rachmaninoff)|Concerto No. 2]], [[Vladimir Horowitz]] offered to take the fifteen-year-old on as his first pupil. Janis studied with Horowitz from 1944 until 1948. Horowitz had advised Janis to concertize to build self-confidence and stage presence, so he postponed his successful [[Carnegie Hall]] debut until 1948.<ref name="Pula" />
After attending one of Janis' concerts in Pittsburgh in 1944, at which he played [[Sergei Rachmaninoff|Rachmaninoff]]'s [[Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rachmaninoff)|Concerto No. 2]], [[Vladimir Horowitz]] offered to take the fifteen-year-old on as his first pupil. Janis studied with Horowitz from 1944 until 1948. Horowitz had advised Janis to concertize to build self-confidence and stage presence, so he postponed his successful [[Carnegie Hall]] debut until 1948.<ref name="Pula" />


Janis is also a composer. He has written music for musical theater, including the score for a 1993 [[Off-Broadway]] adaptation of ''[[The Hunchback of Notre-Dame]]'', for television shows, and in collaboration on several pieces with [[Cy Coleman]]<ref>Terry Teachout, ''The Wall Street Journal'', March 22, 2017</ref>
Janis was also a composer. He wrote music for musical theater, including the score for a 1993 [[Off-Broadway]] adaptation of ''[[The Hunchback of Notre-Dame]]'', for television shows, and in collaboration on several pieces with [[Cy Coleman]].<ref>Terry Teachout, ''The Wall Street Journal'', March 22, 2017</ref>


In 1967, Janis accidentally unearthed what ''[[The New York Times]]'' called "That rarest of all musical items...",<ref>''The New York Times'', December 21, 1967, page 1</ref> two previously unknown manuscripts of published Chopin waltzes (Op. 18 and Op. 70, No. 1) at the Chateau de Thoiry in France. Several years later, Janis found the same two waltzes in different versions at Yale University. These manuscripts are published together under one cover in Frédéric Chopin, ed. Byron Janis, ''The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery of the Age'', Envolve Books, 1978.
In 1967, Janis accidentally unearthed what ''[[The New York Times]]'' called "That rarest of all musical items...",<ref>''The New York Times'', December 21, 1967, page 1</ref> two previously unknown manuscripts of published Chopin waltzes (Op. 18 and Op. 70, No. 1) at the Chateau de Thoiry in France. Several years later, Janis found the same two waltzes in different versions at Yale University. These manuscripts were published together in the 1978 book ''The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery of the Age''.<ref name=Kozinn/>


In 1973, Janis developed severe arthritis in both hands and wrists. In 1985, he talked about his difficulties in public for the first time and became the First Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation. In June 2012, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Arthritis Advocacy.
In 1973, Janis developed severe arthritis in both hands and wrists. In 1985, he talked about his difficulties in public for the first time and became the First Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation.<ref name=Kozinn/> In June 2012, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Arthritis Advocacy.{{cn|date=March 2024}}


Janis and his wife, Maria Cooper, daughter of screen actor [[Gary Cooper]], wrote his autobiography ''Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal'', which was released in November 2010. In the DVD ''A Voyage With Byron Janis'', he hosts a musical journey through Chopin's life. Martin Scorsese is developing a Byron Janis Biopic for [[Paramount Pictures]] from a script by Peter Glanz. The project is based on Janis' autobiography.<ref>Dave McNary, Variety, January 7, 2016</ref>
Janis and his wife, Maria Cooper, daughter of screen actor [[Gary Cooper]], wrote his autobiography ''Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal'', which was released in November 2010. In the DVD ''A Voyage With Byron Janis'', he hosts a musical journey through Chopin's life. Martin Scorsese is developing a Byron Janis biopic for [[Paramount Pictures]] from a script by Peter Glanz. The project is based on Janis' autobiography.<ref>Dave McNary, Variety, January 7, 2016</ref>

Janis died at a hospital in [[Manhattan]], New York, on March 14, 2024, at the age of 95.<ref name=Kozinn/>


==Honors==
==Honors==
{{unreferenced section| date=March 2024}}
Janis has received several awards and honors including:
Janis received several awards and honors including:
* Commander of the French Légion d'Honneur for Arts and Letters
* Commander of the French Légion d'Honneur for Arts and Letters
* Grand Prix du Disque
* Grand Prix du Disque
Line 46: Line 49:
* Distinguished Pennsylvania Artist Award
* Distinguished Pennsylvania Artist Award


He received an honorary doctorate at Trinity College and the gold medal from the French Society for the Encouragement of Progress, the first musician to receive this honor since its inception in 1906. He has been invited six times by four sitting Presidents to perform at the White House and was written into the Congressional Record of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, honoring him as, “a musician, a diplomat and an inspiration.” He was featured in the PBS documentary, by Emmy-award-winning producer Peter Rosen, ''The Byron Janis Story'', which highlights his struggles with arthritis.
He received an honorary doctorate at Trinity College and the gold medal from the French Society for the Encouragement of Progress, the first musician to receive this honor since its inception in 1906. He was invited six times by four sitting Presidents to perform at the White House and was written into the Congressional Record of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, honoring him as "a musician, a diplomat and an inspiration." He was featured in the PBS documentary, by Emmy-award-winning producer Peter Rosen, ''The Byron Janis Story'', which highlighted his struggles with arthritis.


==References==
==References==
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*[https://www.byronjanislive.com/ Official website]
*[https://www.byronjanislive.com/ Official website]
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0417638/?ref_=nv_sr_1 IMDb profile]
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0417638/?ref_=nv_sr_1 IMDb profile]
* {{discogs artist|Byron Janis}}
{{Great Pianists of the 20th Century}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Janis, Byron}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Janis, Byron}}
[[Category:National Arts Club Medal of Honor Recipients]]

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Latest revision as of 06:54, 9 April 2024

Byron Janis
Janis in 1962
Born
Byron Yanks

(1928-03-24)March 24, 1928
McKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 2024(2024-03-14) (aged 95)
New York City, U.S.
Occupationclassical pianist
Years active1940–2024
Spouses
June Dickson Wright
​
​
(m. 1953; div. 1965)​
Maria Cooper
​
​
(m. 1966)​
Children1
FamilyGary Cooper (father-in-law)
Veronica Cooper (mother-in-law)
Websitewww.byronjanis.com

Byron Janis (né Yanks; March 24, 1928 – March 14, 2024) was an American classical pianist. He made numerous recordings for RCA Victor and Mercury Records, and occupies two volumes of the Philips series Great Pianists of the 20th Century. His discography covered repertoire from Bach to David W. Guion and included major piano concertos from Mozart to Rachmaninoff and Liszt to Prokofiev.

Biography

[edit]

Janis was born Byron Yanks in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 1928, the younger of two children of Hattie Horelick and Samuel Yankilevitch, who had shortened his surname to Yanks after emigrating to America, before finally setting on the surname Janis.[1][2] After demonstrating perfect pitch on a toy xylophone in kindergarten, Janis studied with Abraham Litow until he was 8 years old.[2][3] Byron moved to New York with his mother and sister in 1936 to study with Josef and Rosina Lhévinne, and a year later, he began studying with their associate, Adele Marcus, who would remain his teacher for six years.[2] Byron Yanks made his recital debut in 1937 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, and a year later, his musical sponsor, Samuel Chotzinoff, persuaded him to change his name to Byron Jannes - he would later change the spelling to Janis.[2]

After attending one of Janis' concerts in Pittsburgh in 1944, at which he played Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2, Vladimir Horowitz offered to take the fifteen-year-old on as his first pupil. Janis studied with Horowitz from 1944 until 1948. Horowitz had advised Janis to concertize to build self-confidence and stage presence, so he postponed his successful Carnegie Hall debut until 1948.[2]

Janis was also a composer. He wrote music for musical theater, including the score for a 1993 Off-Broadway adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, for television shows, and in collaboration on several pieces with Cy Coleman.[4]

In 1967, Janis accidentally unearthed what The New York Times called "That rarest of all musical items...",[5] two previously unknown manuscripts of published Chopin waltzes (Op. 18 and Op. 70, No. 1) at the Chateau de Thoiry in France. Several years later, Janis found the same two waltzes in different versions at Yale University. These manuscripts were published together in the 1978 book The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery of the Age.[1]

In 1973, Janis developed severe arthritis in both hands and wrists. In 1985, he talked about his difficulties in public for the first time and became the First Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation.[1] In June 2012, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Arthritis Advocacy.[citation needed]

Janis and his wife, Maria Cooper, daughter of screen actor Gary Cooper, wrote his autobiography Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal, which was released in November 2010. In the DVD A Voyage With Byron Janis, he hosts a musical journey through Chopin's life. Martin Scorsese is developing a Byron Janis biopic for Paramount Pictures from a script by Peter Glanz. The project is based on Janis' autobiography.[6]

Janis died at a hospital in Manhattan, New York, on March 14, 2024, at the age of 95.[1]

Honors

[edit]

Janis received several awards and honors including:

  • Commander of the French Légion d'Honneur for Arts and Letters
  • Grand Prix du Disque
  • Stanford Fellowship, the highest honor of Yale University
  • Distinguished Pennsylvania Artist Award

He received an honorary doctorate at Trinity College and the gold medal from the French Society for the Encouragement of Progress, the first musician to receive this honor since its inception in 1906. He was invited six times by four sitting Presidents to perform at the White House and was written into the Congressional Record of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, honoring him as "a musician, a diplomat and an inspiration." He was featured in the PBS documentary, by Emmy-award-winning producer Peter Rosen, The Byron Janis Story, which highlighted his struggles with arthritis.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Kozinn, Allan (March 17, 2024). "Byron Janis, Pianist of Romantic Passion, Dies at 95". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Drobnicki, John. (2011). "Janis, Byron," in The Polish American Encyclopedia. Ed. James S. Pula. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 201-202.
  3. ^ "Nurturing Creativity in the Next Generation", Byron Janis, Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2010, page D7
  4. ^ Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2017
  5. ^ The New York Times, December 21, 1967, page 1
  6. ^ Dave McNary, Variety, January 7, 2016
  • John Ardoin, Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Philips, 1999, Set I on Byron Janis
  • Chesnut, Daniel Lawrence. "One Of My Favorite Artists Vladimir Samoylovych Horowitz". Artists Are The Breath Of Creation
  • ABC News, “Byron Janis: World Renown [sic] Pianist Despite Pain”, Mikaela Conley, April 5, 2011
[edit]
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