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A Master pianist at the pinacle of his craft, Martin Berkofsky
performed a breathtaking performance at
Lutkin
Memorial
Hall,
at Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois.
The concert was the Grand Finale of a series of benefit
concerts Mr. Berkofsky has been performing over the past
4 months
while
running from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Chicago raising funds for
cancer research.
Prior to Martin's performance, the audience was treated
to a 10 minute video which chronicled Martin's run from Tulsa
to
Chicago.
Included
were
interviews
with host families, a reporter, people he met
along the road as well as Martin himself.
In recent weeks Berkofsky has remarked that the more he
runs, the better he plays, as only one with 54 years of experience
can claim. His performance at Lutkin Hall was evidence.
Berkofsky began his performance with Liszt's Pater Noster
(Lord's Prayer) followed
by selections
from
Chopin
and Schubert. After Intermission, Berkofsky opened with
a piece written by the late Alan Hovhaness, a modern day
composer, and personal friend of Berkofsky. Three selections
by Liszt followed, ending with a stirring rendition of
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 that left the audience
applauding for more. Martin returned with Sousa's Stars
and Stripes Forever which managed to sound like a full
orchestra on a single piano. Again the Chicago audience called
Martin for
a 2nd encore which he responded with a beautiful selection
from Brahms.
The concert was attended by approximately 150 people, including
several families who have hosted Martin during his run through
Illinois. Martin was surprised by special guests, Danny & Carolyn
Darby who are close friends from Virginia and
have graciously supported Martin during his run.
The evening's performance was sponsored
by NationalCity, Network Chicago: (WTTW11 - 98.7WFMT), and
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Proceeds from the event totaled just over
$3,000 and will be donated to the Cancer Treatment Research
Foundation, where
99 cents
of every dollar donated goes toward cancer research.
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