Celebrating Maestro Janis’ 97th Birthday

by Maria Cooper Janis

March 24, 2026

Byron was a True Romantic. That’s who he really was, how he lived, how he felt about his life, or, what life itself could be. He chose to look upon, and live it that way. Music was his life. Music was the way he prayed to God. It was his oxygen, and because of that intensity, because of how he felt that drive of creating through his personal gift of making music, his passion for it from the age of 4, set him on that musical “Yellow Brick Road.” It led him to exploring the wonders, the mysteries, and beauties of life as expressed through music. Byron would hope that those of you reading this today, and listening to the music he played… would know who Byron Janis truly is.

What he loved was the mystery of creativity and LIFE! He loved intelligent risk taking – like driving fast (but never after drinking) – or taking a fast tempo musically, if appropriate. If the integrity of the music could support it, and he knew he could meet the challenge technically, he would take it… always.

It was a lifelong romance with mystery, the beauty of creation, of exploring the unknown. And part of that was the challenge of trying to sense where the composer really wanted his music to go. Horowitz told Byron that Rachmaninoff said to him after he had played a piece for the composer, “Well, it’s not what I meant but I like it!” Byron felt that the performer should bring his own magic to the music and go beyond the printed notes on a page!

I know if Byron were speaking to us today, he would hope you keep your ears and hearts open to the mystery of every day… and his bottom line would define that mystery as LOVE.

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INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS NOW AVAILABLE!

SPOTLIGHT:

Byron Janis "Toccata" on The Ed Sullivan Show, May 9, 1965

Byron Janis Plays for Barbara Walters

Featured
“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” Vinyl (Autographed)
“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” Vinyl (Autographed)
$10.00 $20.00

“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” (Janis Eleven Enterprises), a collection of previously unissued live performances of pieces by Chopin, Haydn and Liszt that were recorded between 1979 and 1999, also includes solo-piano arrangements of several of Mr. Janis’ songs, thus reminding us that he is also a highly accomplished popular songwriter.

Available for the first time on 180g vinyl, Byron Janis - Live: On Tour. This very limited edition double album release comes complete with a full color pull out 24x24 inch poster suitable for framing.

Limited Quantities.

LISTEN TO A PREVIEW

  1. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Allegro) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  2. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Adagio Cantabile) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  3. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Tempo di Menuet) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  4. Polonaise Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Havana, Cuba 1999

  5. Mazurka F Minor (Posthumous) Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Havana, Cuba 1999

  6. Nocturne D Flat Op. 27 No. 2 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Warsaw, Poland 1979

  7. Waltz A Flat Major Op. 34 No.1 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Toulon, France 1989

  8. Sonata B Minor Third Movement (Largo) Op. 58 No. 3 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Knoxville, TN 1982

  9. Waltz G Flat Major (Posthumous) Ÿ Chopin Ÿ New York, NY 1982

  10. Waltz G Flat Major Op. 70 No. 1 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ New York, NY 1982

  11. Sonetto del Petrarca No. 104 Ÿ Liszt Ÿ Brussels, Belgium 1988

  12. Paraphrase on Verdi’s Opera, Rigoletto Ÿ Liszt Ÿ Madrid, Spain 1981

  13. You Are More Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  14. David’s Star - A Song for Israel Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  15. Like Any Man Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  16. “By and Cy - More Paganini Variations” Ÿ Byron Janis and Cy Coleman* Ÿ NY, NY

Read more →
The Byron Janis Story DVD (Autographed)
The Byron Janis Story DVD (Autographed)
$10.00

From childhood injury, to physical disability, and a lifetime battling arthritis, famous classical pianist Byron Janis has fought adversity his whole life. He stands as a lesson to all those who face hurdles in life and can still succeed.  This documentary was produced by award-winning filmmaker, Peter Rosen.

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Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, A Voyage With Byron Janis DVD (Autographed)
Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, A Voyage With Byron Janis DVD (Autographed)
$5.00

With words, music and video clips, world-renowned pianist Byron Janis takes you on a special journey through Chopin's life.

Byron's wife of over fifty years, Maria Cooper Janis, collaborated abroad with a PBS/French production of documentary “Frederick Chopin: A Voyage with Byron Janis.”

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Live From Leningrad 1960 CD (Autographed)
Live From Leningrad 1960 CD (Autographed)
$7.50 $15.00

Live from Leningrad, 1960, a recording made in secret and recently discovered of his historically significant performance in Russia during the height of the Cold War. Maestro Janis was unaware of its existence until his sound engineer Seth Winner, who received it by mail from an unnamed source, brought the vinyl to him.

Live from Leningrad, 1960 is comprised of 16 classical pieces from six composers, including Aaron Copland’s Piano Sonata composed in 1939, which reflects Copland’s fear of WW II, and ends with beautiful bells that “announce the hope for peace,” says Janis. Other featured composers: Chopin, de Falla, Liszt, Mozart and Schumann. Live from Leningrad is the second in a series of Janis’ previously unreleased recordings of live performances.

Maestro Janis performed in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, at the behest of President Kennedy, whose administration appointed Janis our country’s first Cultural Ambassador to Russia. The Cultural Exchange was meant to soften the relationship between the two superpowers. The beginning of this Cultural Exchange was fraught by hostilities towards the USA due to Russia’s shooting down of a new USA U2 spy plane.

LISTEN TO A PREVIEW

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

1. Mozart Piano Sonata No. 5 G Major K.283. 1 Allegro

2. Mozart : Piano Sonata No. 5 K283. 2 Andante C Major

3. Mozart Piano Sonata No. 5 K283. 3 Presto

4. Schumann: Arabesque C Major Op.18

5. Chopin : Piano Sonata No. 2 B Flat Minor Op. 35. 1 Grave - Doppio Movimento

6. Chopin : Piano Sonata No. 2 B Flat Minor Op.35

7. Chopin : Piano Sonata No. 2 B Flat Minor Op.35 - 3 Marche Funèbre

8. Chopin : Piano Sonata No. 2 B Flat Minor Op.35 - 4 Finale

9. Liszt : Valse Oubliée No. 1

10. Liszt : Sonetto del Petrarca No. 104

11. Copland : Piano Sonata. 1 Molto Moderato

12. Copland: Piano Sonata. 2 Vivace

13. Copland: Piano Sonata. 3 Andante Sostenuto

14. Chopin : Étude F Major Op. 25 No. 3

15. Chopin : Étude G Flat Major Op. 10 No. 5 (Black Key Étude)

16. de Falla : The Three-Cornered Hat : The Miller’s Dance

Read more →
“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” CD (Autographed)
“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” CD (Autographed)
$7.50 $10.00

“Byron Janis Live: On Tour” (Janis Eleven Enterprises), a collection of previously unissued live performances of pieces by Chopin, Haydn and Liszt that were recorded between 1979 and 1999, also includes solo-piano arrangements of several of Mr. Janis’ songs, thus reminding us that he is also a highly accomplished popular songwriter.

LISTEN TO A PREVIEW

  1. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Allegro) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  2. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Adagio Cantabile) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  3. Sonata E Flat Major Hob. XVI:49 (Tempo di Menuet) Ÿ Haydn Ÿ Paris, France 1982

  4. Polonaise Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Havana, Cuba 1999

  5. Mazurka F Minor (Posthumous) Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Havana, Cuba 1999

  6. Nocturne D Flat Op. 27 No. 2 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Warsaw, Poland 1979

  7. Waltz A Flat Major Op. 34 No.1 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Toulon, France 1989

  8. Sonata B Minor Third Movement (Largo) Op. 58 No. 3 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ Knoxville, TN 1982

  9. Waltz G Flat Major (Posthumous) Ÿ Chopin Ÿ New York, NY 1982

  10. Waltz G Flat Major Op. 70 No. 1 Ÿ Chopin Ÿ New York, NY 1982

  11. Sonetto del Petrarca No. 104 Ÿ Liszt Ÿ Brussels, Belgium 1988

  12. Paraphrase on Verdi’s Opera, Rigoletto Ÿ Liszt Ÿ Madrid, Spain 1981

  13. You Are More Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  14. David’s Star - A Song for Israel Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  15. Like Any Man Ÿ Byron Janis Ÿ Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1988
    READ THE LYRICS

  16. “By and Cy - More Paganini Variations” Ÿ Byron Janis and Cy Coleman* Ÿ NY, NY

Read more →
Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal (Book)
Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal (Book)
$14.95

By any measure, Byron Janis has had an extraordinary musical career. His discovery of two long-lost Chopin scores made headlines around the world, and he has been honored many times for his breathtaking performances of some of the most exciting and challenging works in the standard classical piano repertoire. As he retraces this remarkable journey in Chopin and Beyond, he shares something even more extraordinary: the other-worldly experiences that have shaped his life and music in surprising and profound ways.

PURCHASE

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Chopin / Janis : The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery Of The Age Book (Autographed)
Chopin / Janis : The Most Dramatic Musical Discovery Of The Age Book (Autographed)
$15.00

Considered to be one of the most important and fascinating books in the history of music is a discovery which brings to the world of Chopin lovers, educators, and musicologists a rare view of the late composer's thinking. This was first discovered by Mr. Janis in 1967 at the Chateau de Thoiry in France, and then again in 1973 at Yale University. At that time, the New York Times declared it to be "the most dramatic musical discovery of our age."

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True Romantic, CD, (Autographed)
Sold out
True Romantic, CD, (Autographed)
$10.00

Touted as one of Byron’s Janis’ legendary recordings after returning to the stage in 1998…We have a limited quantity in Byron’s personal archives, there is a small notch in the CD case but has not effected the booklet or the CD.

Chopin & Liszt were unquestionably two of the greatest romantic figures of the twentieth century. As composers and pianists, Chopin kept his “torment for my music, “ while Liszt was the great extrovert who wore his heart on his sleeve. Chopin wrote music only for the piano…he was the piano…probably the greatest composer for this instrument of all. Liszt wrote hundreds of works of all kinds…a great prophet of what major works would remain in the repertoire despite their being shunned in their time. Both men opened the front door to the aristocracy…Chopin being born the aristocrat, Liszt by the force of his talent and nature.

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Byron Janis - The Mercury Masters Liner Notes
Byron Janis - The Mercury Masters Liner Notes
$5.00

Complete the free transaction to receive ‘The Mercury Masters Booklet’ and a secure link to purchase the box set.

Just simply click ‘HERE’

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Boxset includes:

9CD + 1BDA cap box, original jackets + programming

·The Byron Janis-Mercury partnership was presented in one edition for the first time, each recording presented in its original sleeve and programming

·All recordings, made between 1960 & 1964, have been restored and remastered from the original master tapes at 24bit/192kHz by mastering engineer Tom Fine (son of Mercury Vice President and Classical Producer Wilma Cozart Fine)

·The uniquely detailed and exciting Mercury recordings have been collected onto one High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray disc, which affords an unprecedented opportunity to hear these recordings at this resolution

·A bonus CD included in this edition, ‘Live in Leningrad’, released internationally for the first time – a recording secretly made by Janis’ Soviet hosts in 1960 and previously self-released by Janis

·The set is accompanied by a lavishly presented booklet with an exclusive interview with Byron Janis, rare photographs from the sessions, new liner notes by Jed Distler (E/F/G), and facsimiles of original Mercury advertisements

·The original liner notes (in English only) containing a detailed account of Janis’ recording tour to the Soviet Union with Mercury are available here.

Included as a bonus CD in this edition is a concert recital from Leningrad (St Petersburg) from a historic 1960 visit to the Soviet Union, recorded secretly by his Soviet hosts. Janis was the first American pianist to be sent to the Soviet Union to open the first formal cultural exchange – he would later be hailed as “an ambassador in breaking down ‘cold war’ barriers”.

Read more →

THE Byron Janis Story

The Byron Janis Story
$5.00
One time

THE BYRON JANIS STORY celebrates a musical virtuoso's remarkable resilience and contribution to classical music, presenting a touching portrait of a sensitive human being, a gifted teacher, and a tenacious artist. Now with a bonus feature "The Legend Behind the Music," directed and produced by Mary Wharton, delve deeper into Janis's life several years after the completion of the documentary.

 

LEGENDARY AMERICAN CLASSICAL PIANIST

Byron Janis is internationally renowned as one of the world's greatest pianists. He made his orchestral debut at age 15 with Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra and the following year was chosen by Vladimir Horowitz as his first student. At 18, he became the youngest artist ever signed to a contract by RCA Victor Records. Two years later, in 1948, he made his Carnegie Hall debut which was hailed as an unparalleled success.

Read More about Byron Janis.