A very special musical event will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ, 733 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, on Saturday, March 30 at 3:00 pm. The church will host a solo recital by Jiri Pazour, renowned Czech pianist, composer, improviser, and teacher. All are welcome. This recital will follow sessions that Mr. Pazour and Ann Rose will present at SUNY Fredonia's School of Music. Ms. Rose is organist/pianist at St. John's UCC; music teacher at Sinclairville Elementary School; and a faculty member in the SUNY Fredonia School of Music, where she teaches free improvisation. On Thursday, March 28 at 8:00 pm in Rosch Recital Hall, they will perform a duo recital, "Bridge Across the Ocean," featuring improvised pieces for two pianos based on the music of Czech and American composers. They have previously collaborated on a 2021 concert tour of the Czech Republic and their "Bridge Across the Ocean" CD. Jiri Pazour's solo concert activity is mainly focused on piano improvisation. In addition to the Czech Republic, he has performed in Germany, Poland, Slovakia, France, England, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Malta, Greece, Western Australia, the USA, Canada, South Korea, and Japan. As a composer, Mr. Pazour creates orchestral, chamber, and solo works. His compositions are regularly broadcast on Czech Radio, published on audio media, and included in the repertoire of top Czech and international soloists and ensembles. He won 1st prize in the 2011 Tribune of Chamber Music Pilsen composition competition for "The Sun Darkened for Me," a song cycle for soprano and piano inspired by Czech and Moravian folk poetry. His songs for children are often heard on the Czech Television network, and he works with theater directors to create music for the stage. Since 1995, Mr. Pazour has taught at the Prague Conservatory, specializing in piano improvisation and sight-reading. He also cooperates in music therapy courses with a focus on the targeted use of sound and music for therapeutic purposes. The recital is free, but there will be an opportunity for freewill donations. Parking and handicapped access are on the Eagle Street entrance of the church. For information, call the church office at 716-366-0710.
