embassy events 2008

Fulbrighter aims to promote cultural understanding through music

21 November 2008

Fulbright Scholar Michale Pecak performs at the keyboard (more photos)

American Fulbrighter Michael Pecak performed a solo piano recital at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence Wednesday evening, November 19, as an initial cultural offering in the Embassy’s commemoration of the 90 year anniversary of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations. The hour-long recital featured works by Haydn, Chopin and the contemporary Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz.   Ambassador Ashe noted that as an American born musician of Polish descent, “…Michael Pecak (PET-sak) embodies the vibrant human and cultural connections between our two nations. He is an ambassador of both cultures and a living bridge between them.”  A graduate of Northwestern University, Michael is studying during the 2008-2009 academic year at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw as a Fulbright Scholar, where he is focusing in particular on the works of modern Polish composers.