The International Music Festival Chopin and his Europe

IN THE ORBIT OF ROMANTICISM From Mozart to Tomasz Stańko

(15-31 August 2007)
 

THE FRYDERYK CHOPIN INSTITUTE with THE POLISH RADIO
The City of Warsaw
THE WARSAW PHILHARMONIC ● GRAND THEATRE - POLISH NATIONAL OPERA●

17 concerts, 8 symphony concerts, 9 recitals and concerts of chamber music, ver 200 performers: The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Concerto Köln, Antoni Wit, Jacek Kaspszyk, Tadaaki Otaka, Frans Brüggen, Nelson Freire, Makoto Ozone, Tomasz Stańko, Christian Tetzlaff, Kuba Jakowicz, Ryszard Groblewski, Andrzej Bauer, Kevin Kenner, Roland Pöntinen,  Alexander Melnikov, Colleen Ka Ling Lee, Wojciech Świtała, Tatiana Shebanova, George Emmanuel Lazaridis, Gilles Vonsattel, Lilya Zilberstein, Ewa Pobłocka, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Peter Donohoe, Hinrich Alpers, Stanislav Bunin.

PIANOS: Steinway (2000, 2006), Erard (1849), Pleyel (1848), Graf (c. 1819 copy)

PROGRAMME

Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Concert under the honorary patronage of  the Embassy of Japan in Warsaw

Ewa Pobłocka - piano*
Makoto Ozone - piano**
Christian Tetzlaff - violin
Tadaaki Otaka - conductor
Sinfonia Varsovia

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Fantasy on Polish Airs in A major Op. 13*
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major Op. 19**
Karol Szymanowski: Violin Concerto No.1 Op.35
Andrzej Panufnik: Sinfonia Sacra 

Makoto Ozone, a Japanese pianist and improvisation virtuoso. He studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and his first solo recital was held at Carnegie Hall as part of the Cool Jazz Festival. He has made many magnificent recordings (including: Starlight, Paradise Wings, Walk Alone) and has participated in the musical projects of such artists as Paquito D'Rivera, Marc Johnson, Chuck Lob and Gary Burton. His performances at the 2nd Chopin and His Europe Festival, which was also his debut in Poland, created a real sensation. He is a multi-talented artist for whom both classical and jazz music hold no secrets.
Tadaaki Otaka studied at the Toho Gauken School of Music and in Vienna. He conducted the Orchestra of the Tokyo Philharmonic and was Musical Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales as well as the founder of the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo. As the Chief Conductor and Musical Advisor to the Sapporo Symphony he made several tours of Japan, Europe and the USA. His father, the distinguished composer and conductor, was a student, together with Andrzej Panufnik, of the famous Feliks Weingartner in Vienna.

Thursday, 16 August 2007 5 pm, Piano Recital Michel Dalberto
Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall

Programme:

Franz Schubert: Impromptus Op. 142, D.935
Claude Debussy:
    Images, b. 2
        "Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut"
         "Cloches à travers les feuilles"
     Images, b. 1
         "Hommage à Rameau"
         "Reflets dans l'eau"
Fryderyk Chopin:
    Prelude C-sharp minor, Op. 45
    Mazurkas (selection)
    Ballade G minor,  Op. 23

Presentation of a new copy of a 'Schubertian' Graf piano from c.1819, made to commission for the NIFC in the workshop of Paul McNulty.

Thursday, 16 August 2007, 7.30. p.m. Special concert
Witold Lutosławski Polish Radio Concert Studio

Kawalerowie Błotni [The mud cavaliers]: Chopin Archipelago

Friday, 17 August 2007, 7.30 p.m.
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Classic Jazz Romanticism:
Makoto Ozone - piano
Tomasz Stańko - trumpet
Kuba Jakowicz - violin
Ryszard Groblewski - viola
Andrzej Bauer - cello

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor K. 478
Improvisations

Tomasz Stańko, outstanding trumpet player and composer, one of the most original jazz musicians in Europe. His music has been honored with many awards, including the European Jazz Award and the Australian Bell Award. He creates an exceptional and unique artistic language. His play is characterized by thrilling, magic-filled tone color.
Kuba Jakowicz, an outstanding violinist of the younger generation, winner of many international competitions. He has played with the Münchner Philharmoniker, Orquesta Nacional de España, Dresdner Philharmoniker, Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, Orquesta Sinfónica de Valencia and the Sinfonia Varsovia. He has participated in many prominent festivals in Poland and abroad. In recognition of the young artist's talent Professor Tadeusz Wroński presented him with an Italian-made violin.
Ryszard Groblewski, despite his tender age has made a spectacular contribution to spreading the fame of Polish viola playing at the highest world standards of performance. He has appeared on the stages of most of the philharmonic halls in Poland and also abroad, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain. His triumph at the International Music Competition in Geneva and at the International ARD Competition in Munich proved that the viola can successfully rival and even dominate the violin.
Andrzej Bauer, first place winner at the International ARD Competition in Munich in the duet category and laureate of the International Prague Spring Competition. He developed his talent under the guidance of Kazimierz Michalik, André Navarro, Miloš Sadlo and Daniel Szafran. He has soloed with many major symphony orchestras in Europe and the United States. The artist's extensive repertoire reaches well beyond the strict framework of the classical world, discovering new tonal and technical possibilities for the violoncello.

Saturday, 18 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Kevin Kenner - piano
Roland Pöntinen - piano
Jacek Kaspszyk - conductor
Sinfonia Varsovia

Programme:

Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 16
Karol Szymanowski: Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 'Concertante'
Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto in E minor Op. 11

Kevin Kenner is an American pianist who is a magnificent interpreter of the works of Polish and Russian composers. He won First Prize at the 12th International Chopin Music Competition in Warszawa and is the laureate and winner of a special award for best interpretation of Russian music at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. He has performed was such outstanding orchestras as the Hallé Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Roland Pöntinen debuted in 1981 with the Royal Philharmonic in Stockholm. He has played with major orchestras in many countries of Europe and the USA, Korea, South America, Australia and New Zealand. He is not just an outstanding solo pianist, but also an excellent chamber player and composer. He participated at the Chopin Competition and aroused great interest among the connoisseurs. He is returning currently as an artist of great authority.
Jacek Kaspszyk belongs to the rarefied group of most outstanding conductors. He has directed orchestras in almost all of Europe, including the Berliner Philharmoniker, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Orchestre Nacionale de Paris, Wiener Symphoniker and the Royal Philharmonic of Stockholm. He has simultaneously collaborated with many of the most celebrated opera theaters such as the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Detroit Opera and the English National Opera. Under his baton the musical level of the National Opera in Warszawa has risen to long unknown heights.

18 August 2007, 9 p.m. "Warszawa - miasto Chopina"
Jazz Club Akwarium, "Złote Tarasy"

cz. I Andrzej Jagodziński Trio

Andrzej Jagodziński - piano
Andrzej Łukasik - bass
Czesław Bartkowski - drums

cz. II

Makoto Ozone - piano
Radek Nowicki - tenor sax
Sławek Kurkiewicz - bass
Michał Miśkiewicz - drums

Sunday, 19 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Alexander Melnikov - piano
Concerto Köln

Programme:

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B-flat major
John Field: Piano Concerto A-flat major
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor K.550

Aleksander Melnikov, recognized as one of the best Russian pianists of his generation. Winner of the R. Schumann International Music Competition in Zwickau and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels. He has played with the Russian National Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus. As a chamber player he performed, among others, with Natalia Gutman, Yuri Bashment  and Pieter Wispelwey. He also plays the historic pianoforte, regularly collaborating with Concerto Köln.
Concerto Köln is a German ensemble of the highest world standard that specializes in performance of antique music. The idea behind the orchestra is the joint creation of musical thought and the new discovery of works from the 18th and beginning of the 19th century in their historic instrumental rendering. The ensemble has performed all over Europe, North and South America and Asia. It has participated in many prestigious music festivals. The high rank of this orchestra has also been confirmed by an impressive number of recordings, including for the Deutsche Grammophon and Harmonia Mundi labels. 

Monday, 20 August 2007, 7.30. p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall

'Real Chopin' – Collector's Edition

Wojciech Świtała - piano

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin:
    2 Nocturnes Op. 48
        C minor  No. 1
        F-sharp minor  No. 2
    3 Waltzes Op. 34
        A-flat major  No. 1
        A minor No. 2
        F major No. 3
    6 Preludes Op. 28 (1-6)

piano: Pleyel, 1848

    Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise E-flat major op.22

piano: Erard, 1849

Ka Ling Colleen Lee - piano

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Sonata in B minor, Op. 58

Wojciech Świtała, is the winner of piano competitions in Paris and Montreal. He has given concerts in almost all the European countries and also in Argentina, Morocco, The United Arab Emirates, Libya, the USA and Canada. At the 12th International Chopin Piano Competition he received the award for best performance of a Polonaise. He has made several recordings of Liszt, Schumann, Brahms and Chopin which have been enthusiastically received by listeners and critics alike.
Colleen Ka King Lee, a Hong Kong pianist, was a winner of the 15th International Chopin Piano Competition, of the Pro Music International Award and the International Competition for Piano and Orchestra in Cantu. Her performances include concerts with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. She has played the piano since she was four years old. Invited to participate in the Real Chopin recording project of the National Frederic Chopin Institute, she proved herself to be a magnificent interpreter of music on antique instruments.      

Tuesday, 21 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall

'Real Chopin' – Collector's Edition

Tatiana Shebanova - piano

Programme:
Fryderyk Chopin:
    4 Ballades
       G minor, Op. 23
       F major, Op. 38
       A-flat major, Op. 47
       F minor, Op. 52  

Tatiana Shebanova represents an exceptionally multifaceted piano repertoire. She performs all the works of Chopin, the complete preludes and fugues of Bach, all the Mozart piano sonatas, and dozens of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Scriabin, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. She has won a multitude of outstanding awards in Prague, Geneva and Brussels. She is also a laureate of the 10th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warszawa.

Thursday, 23 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall

George Emmanuel Lazaridis - piano

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Ballade in G minor, Op. 23
Franz Schubert: Fantasie in C major, Op.15 'Wanderer'
Ferenc Liszt: Sonata B minor

George Emmanuel Lazaridis, Greek pianist and composer. He has been a soloist in the best concert halls of Europe and America. Winner of many prestigious musical awards. He also collaborates with renowned chamber ensembles, including the Medici Quartet, Ysaye Quartet, Wiener Oktett and BT Scottish Ensemble.

Friday, 24 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Nelson Freire - piano
Jacek Kaspszyk - conductor
Sinfonia Varsovia

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto in F minor Op. 21
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto in D minor Op. 15

Nelson Freire, a Brazilian pianist, was the First Place Winner at the Vianna de Motta International Competition in Lisbon. He has been recognized by international critics as one of the most outstanding pianists of our times. He has played with the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Bayerische Rundfunk, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Wiener Symphoniker, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Saturday, 25 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Chaber Hall

Gilles Vonsattel - piano

Programme:

Franz Schubert: Impromptu No. 1 in C minor Op. 90
Johannes Brahms: Fantasies Op. 116
Ferenc Liszt:
    Aprés une lecture du Dante, Fantasia quasi sonata from Annés de pèlerinage.           Deuxième année. Italie
    Selection from Annés de pèlerinage.Troisième année.
    Aux cyprès de la Villa d'Este
    Les Jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este
    Sunt lacrymae rerum, en mode hongrois
Maurice Ravel : Gaspard de la Nuit

Gilles Vonsattel, winner of the International Music Competition in Geneva. He has performed at Boston Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, Severance Hall in Cleveland and at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. In his extensive piano repertoire he successfully presents the works of Bach, romantic compositions, and also the works of Xenakis.

Sunday, 26 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Lilya Zilberstein - piano

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Variations in B-flat major on 'Je vends des scapulaires' from Hérold's and Halévy's 'Ludovic' op.12
Ferenc Liszt:
    Consolations
    Fantasia and Fugue on the Theme B-A-C-H
Johannes Brahms:
    Intermezzi Op. 117
    Variations on a Theme by Paganini Op. 35

Lilya Zilberstein, a world famous pianist, enraptures with every one of her musical creations through the power of her sound, her superb technique and depth of emotion. She gained international acclaim thanks to her First Place showing at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano. She played with eminent success on the great musical stages together with such celebrated orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. She has made many recordings for EMI and Hänssler-Classic, including the Brahms sonatas for two pianos with Martha Argerich.

Monady, 27 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera 

Concert under the honorary patronage of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw

Kristian Bezuidenhout - piano
Frans Brüggen - conductor
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven:
    Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
    Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
    Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Kristian Bezuidenhout was born in the Republic of South Africa, studied in Australia, and has been performing to popular acclaim in Europe and North America. Despite his young age he is a true expert in eighteenth century music, playing the modern piano, the harpsichord as well as the historic pianoforte. He has played in Carnegie Hall in New York as well as at numerous festivals of antique music. He enchanted the Polish public with his debut at the prior Chopin and His Europe festival, where he achieved great success playing Mozart's concertos with the Orchestra of the 18th Century under Frans Brüggen.
Orchestra of the 18th Century is a legend among ensembles playing on period instruments, founded by the brilliant flutist and musicologist Frans Brüggen. The main artistic goal of the orchestra is to perform and record the classic works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven and other composers of the 18th and 19th centuries according to the musical traditions of bygone centuries. The ensemble is comprised of specialists from many nations (including Holland, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Japan and the USA) who are expert in performing on historical instruments. Professionalism, classical elegance and unity in diversity are characteristics that distinguish this magical orchestra.

Tuesday, 28 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

Concert under the honorary patronage of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw

Janusz Olejniczak - piano
Frans Brüggen - conductor
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century

Programme:

Because of unexpected illness of Nelson Goerner the first part of concert programme has been changed. Insted of Variations on La ci darem la mano Op. 2, Rondo a la Krakowiak Op. 14 and Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise  Op. 22 by Fryderyk Chopin we could listen to the Piano Concerto in F minor Op. 21 by Fryderyk Chopin performanced by Janusz Olejniczak.

Second part of concert:

Franz Schubert: Symphony C major 'Great' D.944 (Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century)

Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Peter Donohoe - piano - winner of the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow (1982)
Lilya Zilberstein - piano
Antoni Wit - conductor
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Programme:

Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83
Pyotr Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

Peter Donohoe, a British pianist, won unprecedented success at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow in 1982. He is a constant guest at the largest music festivals around the world, including Edinburgh and Paris. He performs frequently in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and collaborates with such orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has many recordings to his credit, and was singled out for the prestigious Gramophone Concerto award for his performance of Tchaikovsky's Second Piano Concerto.
Lilya Zilberstein, a world famous pianist, enraptures with every one of her musical creations through the power of her sound, her superb technique and depth of emotion. She gained international acclaim thanks to her First Place showing at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano. She played with eminent success on the great musical stages together with such celebrated orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. She has made many recordings for EMI and Hänssler-Classic, including the Brahms sonatas for two pianos with Martha Argerich.

Thursday, 30 August 2007, 7.30 p.m. Piano Recital
Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall

Hinrich Alpers – runner-up in the Grieg International Competition in Oslo (2002)

Programme:

Robert Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26
Edvard Grieg:
    Piano Pieces, Op. 1
    Selection from Lyriche Stücke
    Gade, Op. 57 No. 2
    For dine fötter, Op. 68 No. 3
    Schmetterling, Op. 43 No. 1
    Melodie, Op. 47 No. 3
    Bruremarsj from Slåtter, Op. 72
    Sturmwolken
Robert Schumann:
    In der Fremde from Liederkreis, Op. 39 (trans. Hinrich Alpers)
    Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 11

Hinrich Alpers, one of the most promising German pianists of the young generation. Second Place Winner of the Grieg International Competition in Oslo. He performs as a soloist and chamber player in various countries of Europe and North America. He has participated in many world music festivals.

Friday, 31 August 2207, 7.30 p.m. Symphonic Concert
Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall

Stanisław Bunin piano – winner of the 11th Chopin International Piano Competition
Antoni Wit - conductor
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Programme:

Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto in E minor,  Op. 11
Pyotr Tchaikovski: Symphony No.6 in B-flat minor Op. 74 'Pathétique'

Stanisław Bunin, winner of the 11th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warszawa. He has performed at many famous festivals, played at the Teatro alla Scala, Barbican Centre, Salle Pleyel, Téâtre des Champs-Élysées, Musikvereinsaal, and Carnegie Hall. He has teamed with the best world orchestras, including the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and has collaborated with such conductors as David Zinman, George Pretre and Claudio Scimone.

Warsaw, 27 June 2007

Tickets on sale from 1 August 2007 at the Warsaw Philharmonic [Filharmonia Narodowa] in Warsaw and http://www.ticketonline.pl/

Ticket prices:

Concerts in The Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall on 18, 19, 26, 29 August: 40 PLN, 35 PLN, 30 PLN, 25 PLN, 20 PLN

Concerts in The Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall on 15, 17, 24, 31 August: 70 PLN, 50 PLN, 30 PLN, 25 PLN, 20 PLN

Concerts in The Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall: 30 PLN, 25 PLN

Concerts in the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera: 70 PLN, 50 PLN, 30 PLN (1 hour before concerts tickets on sale at the main hall of the Teatr Wielki, prices 77 PLN, 57 PLN, 37 PLN)
Reductions for students and seniors: - 30%