Friends of Maple Grove sponsored a Concert to Honor and Celebrate the 140th Birthday of world-class classical pianist Josef Lhevinne, interred at Maple Grove Cemetery, on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Despite a heavy downpour outside, those inside the Celebration Hall at The Center at Maple Grove enjoyed an exceptional Classical Concert that they will never forget. The Classical Concert featured brilliant pianist Matthew Graybil as the solo performer. It was a memorable evening and those who attended were transformed by the mesmerizing playing of young Mr. Graybil. Just before the intermission, it was announced that that very evening was also the 134th birthday of Josef Lhevinne's equally famous wife, Madame Rosina Lhevinne. A birthday cake was brought out and the audience, accompanied by Mr. Graybil on the piano, sang Happy Birthday. A few representative members of the Aquinas Historical Society attended. They made note of the completion of their third book about the history of Kew Gardens. In the book they took special care to write about the Lhevinnes, who resided in Kew Gardens for many years. They also were involved in writing the text for a plaque that will be unveiled at a special ceremony on June 7 at the Kew Gardens home of the Lhevinnes. (See our calendar for more details.) To honor the memory of Rosina Lhevinne, the women who attended the concert were given a beautiful bejeweled brooch donated by ‘The Material For The Arts’.