In 1980, my mother, Nancy Weber, received what was purported to be the only copy of the attached photo.  It is a photo of Mr. Kochanski and his instructor, Della Moser Pennington.  My mom had offered to do a painting of the photograph as she was an artist and had done some additional work for him in connection with a concert in Indiana.  I was an 8-year-old at the time and remember the concert well.
I would love to return this photo to the family.  It remains in my possession.  If anyone in the family would like to claim it, please contact me at 858-410-0144 x100.
Thanks,
Shawn Weber

I used to tune the piano for Wladimir when he would come to Boise and Nampa. He was such  a gentle, kind, loving, and generous man. He would always greet me with a huge bear hug and tell me how glad he was to see me. 

There were several things he insisted on. He wanted me to be with him in the green room before his concerts and during intermission. He also wanted me to pull the curtain back when he went on stage and to sit behind the curtain next to him while he played. It said it comforted him to know I was there. He is the only concert pianist I ever tuned for that insisted that I come on stage and take a bow and publicly thank me for my work. 

After one of his concerts a fan came back stage and told him how disappointed she was that he didn't play a particular piece. He immediately sat down at an old clunker spinet piano and played the entire piece for her. Gave her a big hug when he was done and told her how glad he was that she had come to the concert.

Before one concert, he commented to me about how well I played. I asked him when he had ever heard me play before. He told me that when he was here last time, he came to the concert hall early to listen to me finish my tuning. He stood behind the curtain and never let me know he was there. What he heard was me playing seven variations of Chopsticks that I had written as well as some of the old standards. He said he loved it because he could tell I was having so much fun playing. 

I miss working with Wladimir. He was so pleasant and appreciative. I feel bad that I only just now learned of his passing. Play well in heaven, Maestro. I'll tune for you again when I get there. 


I'm just a bit late with a memory but it is still very heartfelt.

I took private lessons from Wladimir for 2 years when he was living in Encinitas, CA. He was such an inspiration in my life, but I lost contact while raising a family. At one point we got to see him play and during a visit afterward he assumed the name of "Grampa Wladimir" to my children and used to send them Christmas cards. He has been the inspiration for me to continue to play beautiful music with all the feeling I can put into it. I was so very saddened to find that his amazing spirit no longer graces this world and I look forward to seeing him once more in heavenly surroundings.

I've thought of Kochanski so many times over the years, and am sad to hear of his passing.

I was very sad to learn of the passing of this great man!  I will forever remember him and the impact he had on our family.  We attended a concert in Dallas. My husband sat listening to the beautiful music with tears running down his cheeks!  Afterwards he spoke to our daughter Patricia who was a young girl at the time and told her she had a pianist's fingers and encouraged her to go on with her studies in music.  We loved him.  We bought his book "The people's pianist"...and several of his CD's...He will not be forgotten!!

I just found out today of the passing of Wladimir.  I am in shock, in tears and cannot believe this world is without this giant of a man.  I shall treasure all the special experiences of being around him and his faithful manager Marilyn.  Cherish the memories of his concerts, of being in his home, taking him gifts.  He is the one who gave us gifts all the time..gifts that only he could give: his smile, his spirit, his music, his words of love, of comfort, of joy.  I am honored that I and my family could be given the experience of what a noble son of God is.   Goodbye dear friend.  We will see you again one day in a much better place.  Thank you for the music that fed our spirits, lifted our spirits and made us better people.  You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

I, too was a friend of Wladimir's.  He was genuinely concerned about all he met. I was a member of his Foundation also.  Our charity sponsored a concert in Birmingham in the 90's and I got to know him and Marilyn a little better.  He even took some time with my son, Rich and gave him a Fatherly talk.His spirit and talents will never be forgotten in our family  Elaine Thomas Drennan

I met Wladimir in March 1980 in Missoula MT. I kept in touch with his manager Marilyn Lambson for many years.  I was involved and supported the Della Moser Pennington Foundation, for many years.
His piano Concerts, and his talents will never be forgotten. 
Mary Petersen

OBITUARIO

Wladimir Jan Kochanski

5 diciembre, 1935 – 24 marzo, 2015

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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