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

Leeds Town Hall where the Finals take place tonight (14 September) and tomorrow night (15th September) I have not had the time to follow this competition in detail unfortunately except on the internet which is not ideal but I have certainly watched the results with the greatest interest. Australians should take note that the fine Australian pianist Jayson Gillham reached the Finals and is playing this evening. He was also highly regarded in the 2010 Chopin International Competition in Warsaw.  He really is achieving extraordinary things. Competition Website: http://www.leedspiano.com/competition/Competition.aspx?MID=292 Friday 14th September Louis Schwizgebel, Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 Jiayan Sun, Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16 INTERVAL Jayson Gillham, Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 Saturday 15th September Andrejs Osokins, Prokofiev: Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26 Federico Colli, Beethov...

SACD  MAR0530   www.mariinskylabel.com It was one of those wonderful Warsaw September evenings. May, September and if we are fortunate a golden October are really the most beautiful months in Poland - balmy still and sun-kissed, autumn just brushing the trees with gold, the softest of air as the day draws to a close. Zosia had prepared  a kurki (chanterelle) dish with potatoes, onion and boczek (bacon). We sat on the terrace overlooking the lake and watched the gliders drifting in the blue above Bemowo among high feathery clouds sipping an excellent claret as dusk settled over the land. At the conclusion of the meal and the mint chocolate ice-cream, I had a black Sumatran coffee, a balloon of armagnac and a  Cuban cigar. It was only then, properly prepared and after I had lit the storm lantern, that I put on the recording above. I am speechless with admiration. I will o...

An exquisite set of miniature enamelled furniture in the museum of the magnificent Bishop's Castle, Lidzbark Warminski, Poland Click on photographs to enlarge Some opening remarks Owing to family committments in Mazury I was unable to attend the first two concerts of the Festival. Perhaps the recent 'evenements'   and upheaval at the Chopin Institute also led to the relative brevity of this particular festival and the difficulty in obtaining tickets (most concerts sold out ages ago). I am afraid my coverage of the festival will be rather fitful and inadequate - however I have managed to obtain a few tickets for outstanding concerts and will cover them in the usual manner. I am so pleased the great entrepreneur Mr. Stanislaw Leszczynski is back as Artistic Director of the Festival. Thank heavens for the radio station Dwojka (Polish Radio 2) that maintains the highest standards in academically informed commentary, uncompromising discrimi...