BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON ALFRED WATSON

Mr. Watson is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music in New York, the most prestigious school in North America at the time of his acceptance. One of his classmates was Van Cliburn, the first American to win the first prize in the prestigious Tchaikovsky competition in Russia. Mr. Watson’s teachers included James Friskin, and Alexander Lipsky.

He has performed on many radio stations and in recitals in the U.S. including Aeolian Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City, and the Garden State Arts Center in New Jersey, as well as numerous colleges, universities and concerts series on the East coast, including Middlesex College, Merrimack College, Performing Art Centers in Littleton, MA. and Andover to name just a few.  He also performed in Warsaw and was given the rare honor of performing in the home of Frederick Chopin in Zelazowa Wola, Poland, as a special guest performance, during the Chopin festival. Mr. Watson will be returning to Poland on an annual basis.

Mr. Watson is the son of a Polish immigrant, and was born and raised in a Polish community in New Jersey. His father was a musician as well, but did not encourage his son to follow his profession. Watson’s father expected him to work in the factory, marry, have children and attend church, as did the rest of the family. His family had little interest or exposure to classical music. His father played several instruments but in a Polish polka band.

Destiny stepped into Mr. Watson’s life in the form of a movie.  Mr. Watson’s musical journey began as the result of, all things, a movie, “A Song To Remember”, the life story of Frederic Chopin. Watson saw the film when he was twelve years old. “When I walked out of that movie, a fire had been lit. The direction of my entire life had changed. I became obsessed with classical music. I understood Chopin, his music and his life. I was Chopin!”

Watson started to seriously study music, expanded his repertoire, and ended up practicing as much as eight hours a day, during the summer and whenever he had free time. “My hands were so sore, after so many hours of practice, that I had to soak them daily, in warm water”, Watson states.

Mr. Watson’s music bears the influence of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Debussy. His CD entitled “Romantic Reflections” is a group of eleven original piano pieces. His newest release is entitled “America”, and has been hailed by the critics as an “amazing masterpiece”. He received letters of thanks and praise for this CD from President George Bush, and numerous senators. This CD was inspired by Watson’s feelings when he watched the tragedy of 9/11. He feels that it is also a fitting tribute to the American Forces in Iraq.

Quote from Mr. Watson

“My mission has always been, to bring the beauty of classical music to as many people in all cultures and stations of life as possible. To me, there is no greater pleasure than to share and communicate my personal and profound love of music.”

Copyright©: Alfred Watson 2003

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