Logo Polskiego Radia

Warsaw concert marks 200th anniversary of Chopin’s debut

PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk 25.02.2018 11:00
A gala concert was held on Saturday at the presidential palace in Warsaw to mark the 200th anniversary of Fryderyk Chopin’s first public concert, which took place in the same venue, then known as the Radziwiłł Palace.
Andrzej Duda at Saturday's concert at the presidential palace. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka 
Andrzej Duda at Saturday's concert at the presidential palace. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

In opening remarks, President Andrzej Duda said it is very likely that Poland would have not regained its independence 100 years ago “if it had not been for the music of Chopin, if he had not been able to mobilise Poles, including beyond Polish frontiers, and make them believe that their homeland would return to the maps.”

He added that “it was thanks to Chopin’s music, his Revolutionary Study and other great works, that Poland re-emerged on the world map in 1918.”

At his debut concert on 24 February 1818, Chopin was just eight years old. He performed the Piano Concerto in E minor by the Bohemian composer Adalbert Gyrowetz.

The programme of Saturday’s concert included a selection of works by Chopin, Beethoven, Schubert, Gyrowetz, Franciszek Lessel and Karol Kurpiński, performed on a historic piano, an Erard from 1858.

Among those attending the concert was the First Lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, and famous composer Krzysztof Penderecki.

(mk/pk)

tags: Chopin, music
Print
Copyright © Polskie Radio S.A About Us Contact Us