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

Sydney Symphony Orchestra David Robertson conductor Renaud Capuçon -violin The Warsaw Filharmonia was absolutely packed for this concert. Hardly a spare seat in the entire auditorium and a buzz of anticipation enlivened the atmosphere. A rare sight.  With temperatures at -5C during the day accompanied by jet lag it must have required great stamina and energy to perform. A painting of Ignacy Jan Paderewski by Edward Dwurnik (2018) Private Collection Paderewski was extremely popular in Australia on his tours in the 1920s and loved the enthusiasm of Australian audiences. This was also partly because of his friendship in Europe with the famous soprano Dame Nellie Melba. Paderewski and his wife often dined with her in Paris and Monte-Carlo. The Brisbane Courier described a Paderewski concert at His Majesty's Theatre in April 1927                Paderewski, the world famous ...

Final Report on 1st International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments  Warsaw  2–14 September 2018 Chopin at a Pleyel piano Aquarelle and pencil by Teolfil Kwiatkowski [ca. 1847] The 2nd. International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments The Competition will be held for the second time from 5 to 15 October 2023, again at the Warsaw Philharmonic https://iccpi.pl/en A Different Virtuosity Report on the 1st International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments 2-14 September 2018 Michael Moran Preamble The mystery of instrumental sound and performance before recording has become an irresistible lure in classical music. Even before 1800 musicians were becoming increasingly interested in the nature of 'ancient music' if not so much in the manner in which it was performed. Dr. Pepusch (1667-1752) in London helped form the original Academy of Ancient Music around 1730 to study Palestrina, Byrd, Morley and other early composers. He is best remembe...