The Wallis to Welcome Jeffrey Siegel in THE ROMANTIC MUSIC OF CHOPIN, 1/17

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (aka "The Wallis") presents Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel -- The Romantic Music of Chopin for one performance only, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 8:00 pm in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. This performance is part of the 45th Anniversary Tour of Keyboard Conversations.

The Romantic Music of Chopin program includes the beloved maestro's compositions whose familiar melodies are heard in concert halls, and recognized in countless film scores and TV commercials. One of the most popular composers ever, Chopin is renown for glorious piano music.

Mr. Siegel's program will include the heroic Polonaise, the beloved Fantasy Impromptu (made into a popular song recorded by Judy Garland, and yet a work Chopin never wanted published...why?), vivacious Waltzes, the fiery Revolutionary Etude, the dreamy Lullaby, the stormy Scherzo and more.

Jeffrey Siegel brings power and passion to his celebrated Keyboard Conversations. He has toured the globe, appearing as soloist with the world's great orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic. After more than 50 years on the traditional concert circuit in white tie and tails, Keyboard Conversations have become the focus of Siegel's professional life, and are perhaps his most gratifying work. Jeffrey now does ongoing annual series of Keyboard Conversations in more than 20 cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Palm Desert, Denver - even London. Coast to coast, Canada to the United Kingdom, from the BBC to Oprah Radio's "Dr. OZ," Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations draw listeners to classical music!

Keyboard Conversations, a brilliantly polished concert-with-commentary format, combine lively, captivating remarks with spellbinding performances of piano masterpieces. These programs enrich the listening experience for the avid music lover and provide an entertaining, instantly accessible introduction to great music for the aspiring music lover. "It is my hope that whatever I say will make the listening experience more focused, more accessible, more meaningful and more enjoyable," says Siegel. "We read a great deal about the declining interest in classical music. Yet, I believe great music can inspire us uniquely and this stimulating format makes friends for classical music."

Keyboard Conversations were inspired by Leonard Bernstein's popular programs, which brought the joy of music to millions. Leonard Bernstein was the guiding light for Siegel, and the last conversation that he had with the "much missed Lenny" was about how to talk about music.

Keyboard Conversations ~ Piano Treasures, produced by Time Life in association with Grammy and Emmy award-winning Los Angeles director Steve Purcell at KCET Studios in L.A., were featured in a one-hour PBS-TV special broadcast nationwide to 150 cities. "Jeffrey Siegel is the maestro of the compelling stories and inside scoop about beloved composers' lives and their timeless music," says Mitch Peyser, Time Life show producer.

Subscriptions and single tickets are available at www.thewallis.org or by calling 310-746-4000 or in person at The Wallis Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

About Jeffrey Siegel - Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel has been soloist with the world's great orchestras. Abroad, these have included the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, Philharmonic and Philharmonia, Moscow State Symphony, Munich's Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Amsterdam, Oslo and Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestras, Orchestra of La Scala and NHK Symphony of Japan.

In the United States, engagements have included the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ongoing series of Keyboard Conversations flourish in major cities throughout the United States, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Dallas, Denver and Washington, DC and in London. Keyboard Conversations ~ Piano Treasures, a one-hour, PBS television special produced by Time Life, was recently broadcast to more than 150 cities nationwide and is now available on DVD.

About The Wallis - Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (aka "The Wallis") brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music, performed by many of the world's most talented and sought-after artists. With eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles, and its notability as the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis offers original and revered works from across the US and around the globe. This fall marks The Wallis' second season, which also includes its prestigious "Arts& Ideas" series, conversations with guests from the realms of culture, literature and politics. Housed in a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot venue designed by Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA of Studio Pali Fekete architects, The Wallis celebrates the classic and the modern. This is reflected in the juxtaposition of the restored, original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places) that serves as the theater's dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and houses the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, as well as a theater school for young people, and the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater. Together, these two structures embrace the city's history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for LA-area visitors and residents alike.

Photo Credit: Peter Schaaf

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