© Protected - Selected Classical Music in Poland and the Europe of Chopin - Reviewer's Notebook

The Dworek at Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin, 1st March 1810 Classical concerts in Poland today lie under the shadows of an unspeakably brutal war. In addition there is the poetry of attending a recital at Chopin's birthplace and absorbing the nostalgic anguish and yearning for aesthetic tranquility that lies at the heart of much of his music.  I had admired Dimitry Ablogin from when I heard him in impressive recitals  during  the  1st International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments. 2–14 September 2018.  Before I examine this recital a little, I would like to quote my first impressions in 1992 of that deeply eloquent domain of Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace, taken from my book concerning Poland entitled A Country in the Moon. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * "In late winter, in a despondent frame of mind, I decided to raise my spirits with a visit to Chopin’s birthplace at Żelazowa Wola...

6th August 2025 Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing on 6th August 1945 'Music for Peace Project' - Martha Argerich's creation from the ruins European Council President Charles Michel was in Japan where he was visiting the city of Hiroshima this morning (Friday May 13th 2022) In 1945 that city suffered the first atomic bombing, and Michel used a visit to a memorial there to discuss the current state of global security. Please browse this relevant account sometime ….. the account of Chopin played on Akiko’s piano that survived the bomb (although this innocent young girl Akiko did not) is desperately moving. As I said before, a timely reminder ….. This appalling device was many times less powerful than those of today. The EU leaders and Japanese  Prime Minister Fumio Kishida  said in a joint statement released after the talks:  "We remain committed to the ultimate goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons, regardless of the current severe internation...