73. Festival

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are pleased to announce the open- ing of the 73rd edition of the Festival. The situation is, however, quite different from that of previous inaugurations, as far as I remember them. In March, after suffering a severe illness, Mr. Andrzej Merkur passed away. He was the President of Chopin Festival Foundation and an integral part of the Festival for over 40 years, in fact all his professional life. It is hard to overestimate his vast experience, his calmness under pressure, his determination and his professionalism. We scarcely imagined ever facing such a dramatic, grim and unexpected situation.

Being a friend of Andrzej Merkur and his artistic collaborator for 26 years, I would allow myself to express my and, I believe, your deepest sorrow. At the same time I would dearly like to thank Mr. Merkur for his “Life’s work” during the Duszniki-Zdrój International Chopin Piano Festival.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our mission, our trademark and a widely known feature of our Festival is to promote and cultivate talented pianists of the younger generation. This year we intend to stay faithful to our principles. Besides acclaimed Artists, we will present some remarkable young pianists whose artistic careers are developing dramatically. There is little doubt that in the next few years they will become the most honoured guests in the most significant concert halls in the world. It is with the greatest joy and satisfaction that we welcome to Chopin’s Manor the “stars” of our festival. These are the Artists whose brilliant recitals and concerts have established the high level and reputation of the festival for many years.

The audience will undoubtedly give a warm welcome to our long-awaited guests. Such renowned musicians as Sergei Babayan, Alessio Bax, Rachel Cheung, Boris Giltburg and Jonathan Plowright, whose previous performances here in Duszniki are still engraved in our memory.

In the Jubilee year, the 100th anniversary of the regaining of Polish Independence, we also welcome a number of illustrious Polish Artists: Ewa Pobłocka and the family band Multi Trio, Wojciech Świtała, Jakub Jakowicz, Tymoteusz Bies and Piotr Alexewicz. I am also honoured to give an especially warm welcome to the legendary Polish pianist Lidia Grychtołówna.

We also welcome the excellent teachers who will give master classes during the Festival: Professor Vanessa Latarche from the London Royal College of Music and Professor Eugen Indijc, well known to all Polish music lovers, who lectures at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. Meeting such great teachers and working with them will be a priceless and very inspiring experience for all those who comprise the classes, the laureates of the latest edition of Polish Chopin Piano Competition.

Ladies and Gentlemen – on behalf of all the organizers of the Festival and also on behalf of yourselves, I wish to thank our unfailing sponsors. It is thanks to them we can experience such profound artistic experiences. We are also grateful to our media representatives, especially to the Polish Radio Channel 2, for not permitting Polish music lovers forget the Duszniki Festival and for carrying out their difficult task with extensive professionalism and charm.

Finally I would now like to wish all the very best to the new President of the Festival Foundation, Mr. Mariusz Fituch. All of us here present wish you the best of luck in working on the Festival in the future, as well as the determination and passion to carry it through to a brilliant conclusion.

I am convinced that this year the Festival will give rise to many deep reflections and provide us with many beautiful, unforgettable moments and wonderful artistic experiences.

Piotr Paleczny

Program PDF