Classical Music in Poland and the Europe of Chopin - From the Reviewer's Notebook

It is the 150th anniversay of the birth of Ignacy Paderewski - a very remarkable man indeed. The historian Adam Zamoyski wrote an excellent biography of the man entitled   Paderewski (London 1982) as well as his most recent brilliant biography of Chopin: Chopin: Prince of the Romantics (London 2010)  Paderewski in the 1890s  Not as much as I expected seems to be happening in Poland concerning this 150th anniversary which surprises me. All I can do at present is to refer you to the official competition website and radio link as there is little publicity concerning the event in Poland. Perhaps people are suffering a musical hangover after the marathon International Chopin Competition. This is a rather different type of event with chamber music sections and a variety of piano concertos the competitors can choose from - pianists are able to display a more rounded talent than the narrow focus on a sole composer Chopin. This is an interesting Polish Radio 2 ( Dwojka ) li

 Bust of the Australian pianist Edward Cahill (1885-1975) dated 1936 by Felix Weiss (born Felix Weiss de Weldon 1907-2003)  For many years I have had a bust of the pianist Edward Cahill in my study (my current biographical project - see multiple postings). The bust is in plaster painted to appear like bronze. It has suffered many vicissitudes over the last 75 years. The fragile bust had an interesting history as it survived the bombing of Central London during World War II in a hatbox under the bed of 'a certain  lady'. Her house was severely damaged, almost completely destroyed, but the head survived. Eddie always referred to it as 'The Royal Head'. It is rather a beautiful and artistic production but the name of the sculptor inscribed on the base -  Felix Weiss 1936 (1907-2003) - meant little to me.  Felix Weiss sculpting the head of Edward Cahill, London 1935. Photograph taken from The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933-1954), Wednesday 20 March