Four vinyl recordings of Grammy winning pianist John Browning have been gifted to the Peninsula Music Festival and the Festival is making them available to John’s fans via an online auction.
John Browning
The auction begins immediately and will continue through July 5, 2010. These recordings date from the 1960’s; two are still in their original packaging and the other two are in like-new condition. Photos, more information, and the current highest bid are available online at www.musicfestival.com/auction. Proceeds from the auction will go towards Peninsula Music Festival’s annual campaign. Bidding starts at just twenty-five dollars and all bids made after the initial bid must be made in five dollar increments.
John Browning made his debut in 1956 with the New York Philharmonic. He appeared in virtually every music capital of the world, amassing accolades for his solo recitals, concerto appearances and recordings. At the time of his death in 2002, he still had a full calendar of solo appearances. In 1962, Mr. Browning was chosen to give the world premier of Samuel Barber’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. Written especially for John Browning, the piece was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and has since become the most frequently performed American piano concerto in the past half-century. In 1991, Mr. Browning recorded the concerto for the second time with Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony. This recording earned Mr. Browning his first Grammy Award for “Best Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra” and a Grammy nomination for “Best Classical Album”. He went on to win a second Grammy award in 1993 for his disc of the complete Barber solo piano repertoire.
“I am excited to make these recordings available to the community that loved John Browning, the Peninsula Music Festival audience. John’s dedication to the Festival was immense,” says PMF Executive Director Sharon Grutzmacher. “He served on our board of directors for years, providing musical guidance and leadership that helped move the Festival to a much higher level. John would be thrilled that his recordings were being made available to his most loyal fans.”
Bidding begins immediately and runs through July 5, 2010. The highest bid will be posted daily. Photos, more information, and the current highest bid are available online at www.musicfestival.com/auction. Questions can be directed to the Festival office at 920.854.4060.
The Peninsula Music Festival is a professional symphony orchestra that performs nine different symphonic concerts in three weeks each August. Performances are held at the Door Community Auditorium, Fish Creek. Celebrating it’s 58th season, Peninsula Music Festival will perform every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening from August 3 to August 21, 2010. For a complete season schedule, more information, or to order tickets, please go to www.musicfestival.com or contact the box office at 920.854.4060.
