SOCIETIES IN THE WORLD

A Meeting in Te Vancouver Chopin Society (Vancouver/CANADA)

In “Chopin in the World 2019”, I wrote the following: “For our 22nd season, beginning on November 10, 2019, we have invited fve more virtuosi to share their art and their music with us: Zlata Chochieva, Colli, Kevin Kenner, Tomasz Ritter, and Dina Yofe. We look for- ward to our new season with intense anticipation” Our efusive brochure/booklet set out the season with the rubric “Music Tat Gladdens the Soul”, and Chochieva’s and Kenner’s music achieved all of that, in spades. And then the 22nd season of Te Vancouver Chopin Society was over, never to be completed, as the world in its entirety was pandemically overtaken. A meeting of the IFCS Board Te meeting also involved a visit to Our fnal three concerts of fve and Audit Committee was held in the Polish Library in Paris and places were wiped out: Federico Colli, Paris on 28 February and 1 March marked by the presence of Chopin in Tomasz Ritter, and Dina Yofe, sched- 2020. Te meeting was organized by that city. uled from March to May 2020, would Societé Chopin à Paris. Attending the On 1 March we were invited to not, with good reason, appear. Tat meeting were: Teodor Kanitzer, A the Téâtre des Champs Elysées to we were able to access online concerts ntoine Paszkiewicz, Elżbieta Artysz, a gala concert held on the occasion by messrs. Colli and Ritter was conso- Mariusz Fituch, Rosa Capllonch- of Fryderyk Chopin’s birthday. Te lation, of course. Ferra and Ariel Paszkiewicz and Paweł Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra was Zlata Chochieva’s season-opening Urbański. Also present were assistants conducted by Łukasz Borowicz. In the recital on November 10, 2019 was as Jakub Dmeński and Mariusz Morga frst part of , the orchestra richly satisfying---even astonishing- and a guest invited by the organ- performed works by Polish composers --as expectations had led one to believe. izer – Jadwiga Merkur, President of associated with Paris (Roman Palester, Schubert’s G major D.894 Sonata was the Board of the Chopin Festival in Alexandre Tansman) and in the sec- profoundly explored by Chochieva Duszniki Zdrój Foundation. ond it accompanied Rafał Blechacz in a deeply-moving frst half, while Te program of the Grand Chopin in a beautiful rendition of Chopin’s Mendelssohn and Rachmaninof Meeting to be held in October 2020 Concerto in E minor. A capac- were set of triumphantly against each in and drafted by the General ity audience rewarded all musicians other in the second half with four of Secretary was agreed at the Meeting of with thunderous applause. the former’s Songs Without Words the Board (Te conference “Chopin in Te eminent organizes of the and six of the latter’s Études-Tableaux: South America”, Grand Assembly of Meeting – Antoine and Ariel here was piano-playing artistry of a the IFCS, rules of participation in au- Paszkiewicz also provided us with an 1 high order indeed. And when has ditions to the Chopin Competition) *. opportunity to try some specialties of Rachmaninof’s delightful frothing the French cuisine. Tank you! of the scherzo from Mendelssohn’s 1 Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the A Midsummer Night’s Dream spun Chopin Competition and the Grand with such brio! Tis was a splendid Chopin Meeting were moved to the night indeed. year 2021.

29 www.chopinfederation.pl Zlata Chochieva and the VCS Board. Kevin Kenner had appeared in concert with our Society in the past, Chopin-Gesellschaft and it was the happiest of pleasures to welcome him back for his recital, in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V. exactly two weeks after Chochieva’s. (Darmstadt / GERMANY) And what a boon it was to hear from him six miniatures by Paderewski, in- 50th Anniversary in 2020 Te concert began with introduc- cluding the once-ubiquitous Menuet tory speeches by Hartmut Stolzmann, in G in a performance for the ages. In the jubilee year of 2020 the Aleksandra Mikulska (President of the Chopin Society in Darmstadt paid Beginning his concert with a sonata Society), Jochen Partsch (Lord Mayor tribute to its namesake with an attrac- by Haydn, his No.48, was life-giving, of Darmstadt) and Jakub Wawrzyniak to both Haydn and us, his listeners. tive blend of well-known and lesser- (Consul General of the Republic Schumann’s Davidsbündlertänze of known works by the great master. Our almost infnite variety, and Chopin, of frst gala concert on February 29th of in Cologne), who paid course, fve and the fourth featured four frst prizewinners of past tribute to the Polish Maciej scherzo, completed an evening of mu- Darmstadt competitions. Lukaszczyk (1934 – 2014), who sical riches rarely experienced in the short span of a concert. As for the 2020-21 season, our speculatively 23rd, there are as yet nu- merous questions. Te Vancouver Chopin Society functions because of the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers, led by our President, Patrick May, and our Artistic Director, Lee Kum-Sing, and our board of directors.

Henry Ewert Vice-President Te Vancouver Chopin Society Four former frst-prize-winners of the Darmstadt Chopin competition play at the an- niversary concert on February 29th, 2020, to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversary. From left to right: Janne Mertanen, Claire Huangci, Ivett Gyöngyösi and Joanna Marcinkowska.

Chopin in the World 2020 30 founded the society in 1970, honour- ing his pioneering work in bringing people together in very difcult times and thanking the Chopin Society for its long-term commitment, for promoting young talent and for its cross-border work. Te f rst of the four outstand- ing to perform was Joanna Marcinkowska from Poland (win- ner in 2002), who demonstrated her brilliant skills with a nocturne, three waltzes and the “Andante spianato and grande Polonaise”. Next, the Finn Janne Mertanen, (winner in 1992), “emphasized the poetic side of Chopin’s music, giving an introverted rendering of the C sharp minor polonaise and two late Romantic Polish pianist and politi- Krakowiak” last rang out in Darmstadt. , while his performance of the cian , including Back then, the founder and long-time in F sharp major almost en- not only the famous menuet, but also the president of the Chopin Society, Maciej tered the realm of impressionism.” (Klaus tricky “Caprice a la Scarlatti” and the Lukaszczyk, had been at the piano, ac- Trapp, Darmstädter Echo 2.3.2020) fast-paced “Cracovienne fantastique”. companied by the Chamber Orchestra Ivett Gyöngyösi from Hungary (ibid.) of the Merck Philharmonic. At the an- (winner in 2013) performed the Soon after this, there followed a niversary concert celebrating the 50th F sharp minor polonaise and four long hiatus in our concert activity. anniversary of the society, this youthful mazurkas op. 30, which had gained Te Corona virus pandemic forced us work of the 18-year-old Chopin was on her additionally the mazurka prize to cancel all concerts between March the programme again for the frst time.” in Darmstadt in 2013. She then fur- and August, and we hoped and prayed After the unprecedented success of ther delighted the audience with her that our long planned September con- the 2015 Chopin Marathon, in which interpretation of Liszt’s Hungarian cert with piano and orchestra would twenty-three young pianists per- Rhapsody No. 10, a brilliant bravura be possible. formed, in the order of composition, piece resplendent with octaves and We were delighted that it was able all the piano solo works of the Polish fashing glissandi. Finally, the climax to take place and we enjoyed two won- genius non-stop over sixteen hours, of the long evening followed with derful concerts on September 4th and it was the unwavering intention of the performance of the pianist Claire 5th, 2020, which of course had to take the Chopin Society to present for the Huangci (winner in 2009): “Te place under strict Corona regulations Darmstadt audience Chopin’s entire elegantly served bolero was followed by that required wearing masks when oeuvre for piano and orchestra at a the three nocturnes of Opus 9, in which standing close together (see photo). In gala concert in the Orangerie. Due to the soloist demonstrated her deep sense her review for the Darmstädter Echo the corona pandemic however, both of sound. To the delight of the audi- on 7.9.2020 Silvia Adler wrote: the duration of the event and the or- ence she fnished with samples from the “It had been almost forty years since chestra had to be curtailed, and three “Humoresques de concert” op. 14 by the Chopin’s rarely played “Rondo à la of the six works had to be performed in a version for piano solo. Te young Polish pianist Piotr Pawlak had at short notice adapted the score of Chopin’s “Krakowiak” op. 14 for piano solo, which he performed on the frst evening (see photo). ”Te winner of the 2017 Darmstadt Chopin Competition unfolded with luminous sound a poetic tableau of fowing, ex- plosive colours.” (ibid.). Apparently without applying force, his fne touch developed sounds of expressive vol- ume. “Variations on La ci darem la Mano ”op. 2 from Mozart’s opera“ Don Giovanni” were performed by the Darmstadt pianist Sabine Simon, whose vivid shaping of the vocal lines,

30 31 www.chopinfederation.pl Kevin Kenner and Aleksandra Mikulska performing on September 5th with the Mainz Chamber Philharmonic under the baton of Catherine Rückwardt characterized by a fne-textured, fligree sound. Te concert concluded with a memorable rendition of the E minor concerto by Kevin Kenner. “Te lyrical voice with which he performed the con- certo seemed soft and supple and at the same time absolutely compelling. Kenner seemed to have conceptually penetrated every phrase, no matter how small, and yet his interpretation sounded disarmingly natural.“ (ibid.) Prior to these jubilee concerts in 2020 we had enjoyed a number of excel- lent and varied events that deserve men- tion: In September 2019 we had a most perfect execution of the artistic runs and 7, which were among the musical informative lecture on Fryderyk Chopin and expressive contrast in the tutti highlights of the ceremony. and Clara Schumann (to celebrate the sections made one forget for a while Aleksandra Mikulska, President of bi-centenary of Clara Schumann’s birth) that the orchestra was missing. the Chopin Society, opened the second delivered by Dr. Wolfgang Seibold, In the second half of the concert evening with Chopin’s Piano Concerto with Prof. Sontraud Speidel at the Kevin Kenner, winner of the Warsaw in F minor accompanied by the strings piano, whom the “Neue Zeitschrift Chopin Competition in 1990, per- from the Mainz Chamber Philharmonic für Musik” described as the “Clara formed “with breathtaking intensity and Orchestra “relying on clear, wide-stretched Schumann of today!”. compelling inner logic” (ibid.) a selec- lines, as in the hymn-like Larghetto, to Tis was followed in October tion of early original piano solo works assert Chopin’s gracefulness” (ibid.) Piotr 2019 by our XXV International by Chopin including the Nocturne in Pawlak then gave a fne performance Masterclass for Pianists conducted E minor (posth.), Rondeau à la Mazur of “Fantasy on Polish Airs” op. 13 by the Argentinian pianist and peda- op. 5, and fve mazurkas from opus 6 with orchestra, his interpretation being gogue Prof. Carmen Piazzini. Tis 9-day masterclass opened with a concert by Carmen Piazzini who gave inspiring interpretations of works by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and . Both the audience, which came every day to listen and learn, as well as the 14 active young musicians from eight nations, then enjoyed seven days of intense tuition before all active participants played in the fnal con- cert, in which the capacity audience was treated to a pot pourri of works encompassing 300 years of piano literature. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Ravel,

Chopin in the World 2020 32 Rachmaninov and Bartok were all Aleksandra Mikulska, enhancing “Gnomenreigen” by Liszt. Tis con- represented. the spoken word with her interpreta- cert was also dedicated to the memory Te photo shows the participants tion of some of Chopin’s best loved of our long-standing member of the after the fnal concert. Standing in works. Dr. Peter Oliver Loew, newly board, Christa Heimerl, who had the front row from left to right are appointed Director of the German passed away in December 2019. Hartmut Stolzmann (Board Member Polish Institute in Darmstadt, a joint Please check our website if you of the Society), Aleksandra Mikulska organiser of this event, moderated the would like to read more about the his- (President), Jill Rabenau (Vice evening. Photo: From left to right: Dr. tory of our society. A pdf version of our President) and Carmen Piazzini. Peter Oliver Loew, Aleksandra Mikulska brochure “50 Years Chopin Society” November 2019 saw an evening and Stefen Möller. in German and English is available of entertaining dialogue and music in Our New Year’s Concert in January for viewing under the heading “Über the form of a book presentation by the 2020 starred the acclaimed pianist uns”, as well as a comprehensive list German show master and actor Stefen Prof. Boris Bloch , who had kindly of concerts that have taken place over Möller, much loved in Poland. Essays agreed to replace Yuri Blinov after his the space of 50 years. Tis and much by the well-known Polish author and tragic death in April 2019. His care- more, including a selection of photos music critic Piotr Wierzbicki (*1935) fully compiled and expertly executed and video recordings of important con- had been translated into German by programme contained Mozart’s A certs, at www.chopin-gesellschaft.de Stefen Möller and published for the Minor Sonata KV 310, Beethoven’s frst time in the German language E-fat Major Sonata op. 81a “Les All photos by under the title “Warum Chopin keine Adieux” as well as works by, Bach, Dorothee or Hartmut Stolzmann. genialen Lieder schrieb – Essays”. (“Why Chopin, Liadov and Tschaikowski. Jill Rabenau, Vice President Chopin did not write any ingenious As encores he regaled his audience songs – Essays”.) At the piano was with two études by Chopin and Chopin- Gesellschaft Hannover e. V. (Hannover / GERMANY)

1. Our 2019 activities started on January 25th, 2019 at Solvay GmbH with a solo piano recital by Alyosha Jurinic, an outstanding young artist from Croatia who studied in Zagreb, Vienna, Fiesolo and now in Weimar. He played music by Debussy, Schumann and Chopin. Te audience was enthusiastic about him. 2. Next we met at the Jacoby Hall of Hochschule für Musik, Teater und Medien Hannover (HMTMH) on March 23rd, 2019 for our „17th International Piano Competition 2019“ under the patronage of the Consul Sookie Schober General of the Republic of Poland. Tis contest is organ- ized biannually by our Society; fve highly qualifed young pianists between 18 and 25 years of age were pre-selected to hold this competition. Te members of the jury this year were Professor Bernd Goetzke, HMTMH, Volker Hagedorn, journalist, author and musician, Professor Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń, Bydgoszcz, Professor Hubert Rutkowski, Hamburg, and Professor Catherine Vickers, Frankfurt/M., fve well-known and experienced profes- sionals. Tey decided to ofer the First Prize to Emanuel Roch (b. 1998) from who in addition received the Prize of the Audience; the Second Price to Lukasz Byrdy (b. 1994) from Poland, and the third Prize to Daniel Golod (b. 1997) from Israel. Te competition which lasted for 4 hours was moderated humorously by Professor Hans Baessler from Hamburg. 4. Our traditional summer “Matinee Concert and 3. On April 26th, 2019 at the Assembly Hall of VHV Picnic” took place on June 16th, 2019 in the countryside Insurances a solo recital of our prize-winners Emanuel Roch at Untergut Lenthe. Attended by more then 400 members and Lukasz Byrdy took place. Lukasz performed Chopin, of the Hannover Chopin Society and their families, friends Beethoven, Debussy and Liszt, followed by Emanuel with and guests, this event again was a great success, beautiful set- compositions of Chopin, Liszt and Bach/Busoni. It was a ting with the beautiful park, the sunny weather and thanks wonderful evening. to the two charming young artists: Anna Schaumlöfel,

32 33 www.chopinfederation.pl soprano, and Jong Hai Park, 2nd Prize-winner of Gesa Anda Stiftung in Zürich, as pianist. In an old and restored barn they charmed us with Schubert, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Brahms and Bizet. Te concert ended with our annual picnic in the gardens. 5. Again, the annual highlight of the Hannover Chopin Society was the 31st “Open Air Concert and Picnic” at the Georgengarten, part of the Herrenhausen Gardens in front of the Wilhelm Busch Museum on August 25th, 2019. Traditionally this concert is open to the Hannover public and is free of charge. Donations are of course wel- come! In the heat of blazing August sun more than 5.000 people, predominantly young people, were sitting or lying on the grounds in front of the Junges Sinfonie Orchester (JSO) Hannover conducted by Tobias Rokahr and enjoyed the wonderful music by Khatschaturjan and Sarasate. Te two soloists were Ioana Cristin Goicea, violin, from Rumania and Luka Okros, piano, from Georgia, now living in London. He played the Piano Concerto Nr. 1 in b-fat minor op. 23 by Tschaikowski. 6. Te Chopin Society met again on September 15th, 2019 at Schloss Bückeburg under the patronage of its owner Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe. Te Bückeburg is about 40 km away from Hannover and has a long, fascinating history; the “Ballsaal” obviously was the perfect setting for a “Pianomatinee”! Following a warm greeting words from the Prince himself Emre Yavuz from Turkey delighted us with Chopin and Rachmaninof. Te fancée of the Prince Schaumburg, a concert pianist herself, was so touched by Emre, that her eyes were welled up with tears. An unforget- table morning garnished with delightful lunch bufet to top it all. What a delightful Sunday for all our guests. 7. Te next concert of the Hannover Chopin Society took place on October 25th, 2019 at the “Maharajah’s Palace” in Hannover Zoo. Tis unusual location proved to be the ideal place to perform the “grande fantaisie zo- ologique” Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens. Twelve students of our Hochschule für Musik, Teater und Medien Hannover, along with a young student from the drama department of the same school gave us a truly mag- nifcent performance of this famous piece of Saint-Saens. We were very lucky to obtain the rights to use the original text written by the Viennese Symphoniker and the audi- ence was totally captured by this performance, including quite a number of very young guests under 10. 8. Te last concert for our members in 2019 was a “Piano Evening in Advent” on November 22nd, 2019 at Hannover Rückversicherung with Mario Häring. Tis outstanding artist presented an ambitious program with compositions of Debussy, Schubert and Beethoven. Te audience was impressed. 9. Te new concert year 2020 of the Hannover Chopin Society started harmlessly on January 24th at HDI Insurance with ; nobody suspected an upcoming annus horribilis. Te winner of our 2009 piano competition as well as Concours Géza Anda, Claire Huangci, from USA and Tristan Cornut, violoncellist from Paris played compositions of Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Schumann. It was a wonderful start in the year.

Chopin in the World 2020 34 10. Te following concert on February 23rd 2020, at MIROSŁAW DUBIEL (PL), invited as the winner of the the auditorium of Schillerschule in Hannover-Kleefeld was 27th International Chopin Piano Competition in Szafarnia. our last concert since the Covid-19 took command of our lives. Te winner of our 2019 piano competition Emanuel Roch together with Junges Sinfonieorchester Hannover (JSO) under the direction of Tobias Rokahr played Tschaikowski’s piano concert No. 1 in b-fat minor followed by piano compositions of Beethoven, Ravel and Chopin. 11. All the following concerts scheduled for the year 2020 had to be canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic and the guidelines of the authorities. However, to fulfll our intention to promote young piano artists at the begin of their career, we decided to support our artists and their young families by refunding their fees for the canceled concerts. Tis was gratefully acknowledged by all of them. Furthermore we have bought 100 CDs from 4 artists who could not perform on stage this year and are sending them to our members as a consolation and at the same time to support the artists fnancially. With respect to our Society itself, the number of mem- ber families is still stable (slightly under 400 families) and the managing committee, chaired by Mrs. Sookie Schober since 2005, is glad to contribute to support the interest of young promising musicians, putting emphasis on pianists, as our patron Frederic Chopin would have wanted. Prof. Dr. Friedrich Schuh, member of the board of Chopin Gesellschaft Hannover e.V. György Ferenczy Foundation (Budapest / HUNGARY) At the end of February, as part of the cooperation with Te Foundation’s frst event of the 2019/2020 season the Vilnius, New-Vilnius Music School, Izabella Darska was the 9TH GYÖRGY FERENCZY INTERNATIONAL Havasi was a juror at the “Musica Brillante” International PIANO COMPETITION (28 Nov. – 1 Dec. 2019) for Chamber Music Competition in Vilnius (LT) and ofered children and youth up to 22 years of age. Tere were 225 prizes for the best participants on behalf of the György competitors representing 16 countries. As always, the audi- Ferenczy Foundation. tions were held in two venues and were evaluated by two Te next event – the BUDAPEST CHOPIN independent, international juries. FESTIVAL 2020, planned for most of the year, was nearly ruined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Te planned inaugu- ration of the Festival was a concert by ALBERTO NOSÈ (IT), on 1 March, the anniversary of Chopin’s birthday. Unfortunately, a few days before his concert, Italy quar- antined the region from which the artist was to travel. We feverishly searched for a replacement and found it – in the person of PIOTR PAWLAK (PL), who quickly decided to cancel a performance in Poland to replace the Italian pianist. What’s more, he played Alberto’s program almost in its entirety, turning out a tremendously successful per- formance with his brilliant playing. Te second event was a concert by EUGEN INDJIC (USA/FR), scheduled for 8 March, but travel from France also became impossible. Te pianist was replaced by GERGELY KOVÁCS (HU). By the way – both young Two young pianists performed short recitals during pianists who replaced the originally scheduled artists were the competition’s closing ceremony: OLGA KSONDZYK ex-aequo winners at our 8th International Chopin Piano (UKR), invited as the winner of the 1st “Shopenivska Vesna” Competition in Budapest (2018). Te date of the second International Piano Competition in Lutsk, and MATEUSZ concert being between Chopin’s anniversary (1 March)

34 35 www.chopinfederation.pl and the Hungarian National Holiday (15 March), our EUGEN INDJIC (USA/FR) – for the online concert Hungarian performer Gergely Kovács chose to play a on 5 May 2020, on the occasion of the Polish Constitution program of works by Chopin and Liszt (Chopin’s friend). Day, with a festive foreword by H.E. Ambassador Jerzy Of course, we have not forgotten to extend best wishes on Snopek. the occasion of International Women’s Day, celebrated just RAFAŁ ŁUSZCZEWSKI (PL) – for the online concert that day, to the girls and women attending the concert. on 31 May 2020, on the occasion of the Pentecost, with a Te representatives of the Polish Institute and the Polish festive foreword by Krzysztof Grzelak, parish priest of the Embassy, including H.E. the Ambassador and his wife, Polish Personal Parish. were present at both concerts. SHAUN CHOO (Singapore) – winner of our 4th International Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest (2010) – ofered us his award-winning performance from the International Chopin Piano Competition in Australia for the online concert on 26 July 2020. We also joined for live broadcasts of concerts organized by other institutions: Concert in Żelazowa Wola – 28 June 2020 – SZYMON NEHRING (PL) – winner of our 3rd International Chopin + ….. Piano Competition in Budapest (2010) concert in Duszniki Zdrój – 12 August 2020 – PHILIPPE GIUSIANO (FR) concert in Duszniki Zdrój – 14 August 2020 – ALBERTO NOSÈ (IT) We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizers for their permission to broadcast the concerts on Only one event of the Festival was held as originally the website of the Foundation. planned: CHOPIN DAY at the Music Faculty of Miskolc Izabella Darska Havasi University, on 10 March 2020. It consisted of a lecture by IZABELLA DARSKA HAVASI in the morning, and a concert by PIOTR PAWLAK (PL) in the evening. Te lec- ture, titled “In the footsteps of the composer’s intentions”, was based on a comparison of three editions of Chopin’s Associazione Culturale Etudes: Paderewski, Ekier and Klindworth’s “Seule Édition “Fryderyk Chopin” Authentique” (1839), found and purchased in a Polish antique bookshop. Piotr Pawlak also delighted the public (Rome / ITALY) with his improvisational skills – a deservedly successful per- formance like in Budapest, with no fewer than fve encores. Te curtain closes on the 29th “Roma” International But!!! – we did not know that a message arrived during Piano Competition organized by Fryderyk Chopin Cultural the concert on the (switched of) mobile phone of my col- Association in partnership with the Cuomo Foundation league, the organizer of the event: the Rector prohibited and in collaboration with FCOM Organizzazioni Musicali. all events efective immediately, and suspended education On the stage of the Palladium Teater, Sonia Sarno hosted activities at the university from the next day. What luck we the traditional Winners’ Concert, which presented the had… frst Chopin prize. Te entire international jury chaired With no hope of continuing the Festival live, as origi- by Marcella Crudeli agreed that Galyna Gusachenko (27, nally planned, we were forced to change to online events. UKR) deserves the prize. She enchanted the audience of the Some artists made their existing recordings available to us: Palladium and the Roma Tre Orchestra that accompanied her in the performance of Mozart’s Concerto in A major conducted by the talented Pawel Piotr Gorajski. Second and third prize go respectively to Yeontaek Oh (27, KOR) and Da Young Kim (32, KOR). Galyna Gusachenko wins € 7,000 and the chance to record and promote a record with KNS Classical, she can also perform in 10 concerts in Italy and around the world. She also wins the Special Prize of the “Fryderyk Chopin National Institute” for the best performance of a Chopin’s piece, which consists of a concert in Zelazowa Wola (PL). Tis was the fnal stage of the two weeks of work to select the best pianists among the 108 young people, com- ing from 20 countries around the world, who participated in the competition in the 5 sections. Each of these youngs

Chopin in the World 2020 36 was listened and evaluated by the international jury of Maria Teresa Caruchio (ARG); Silvia Cappellini Sinopoli (ITA); Vincenzo Marrone d’Alberti (ITA); Luca Rasca (ITA); Franco Carlo Ricci (ITA); Rosalba Vestini (ITA); Xin Wang (GER-CHI). For the “Young Pianists” section Emma Guercio (11, ITA) won the prize and surprising for her early talent revealed; Arashi Kawamoto (25, JAP) wins the section “Emerging Pianists”; a Polish couple, Grzegorz Nowak and Anna Wielgus (29 and 27) win the “Four Hands” section; the sisters Nora and Zora Novotna (23 and 25 CZE) win the “Two ” section. A great audience for the fnal evening in the new loca- tion that was perfectly suited to the event. Te Concert was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See, Matthew S.M. Lee; dott. Paolo Spigarellli; Don Giovanni Cereti for the Confraternity of the Genoese; Ms. Fiorella Zampini; dott. Riccardo Bianchi, President of the Rotary Club Roma Ovest; dott. Aldo Imerito of the Ecotec Group; Ms. Tullia Cianconi Grifone, President of the Inner Wheel Roma Romae Club; Ms. Liliana Gallo Montarsolo; Ms. Maria Murmura; Eng. Vincenzo Bianchini of the Tecnologie e Comunicazioni srl and dott. Andrea Dotti; Ms. Maura Gentile president of the Unesco Club of Rome and Marcella Crudeli with Francisco Diaz Lison and Peter Hungebuhler, of the Cuomo Foundation. Te event was recorded and streamed by 2R Multimedia Productions and will soon be available on all the social me- dia channels of the Competition Te 2019 edition opened on November 27th with a concert for piano and fute by Marcella Crudeli and Stefano Mafzzoni, anticipated by a cultural meeting entitled BETWEEN LITERATURE AND MUSIC - Readings by the actor Ruben Rigillo from the novel by Angelo Angelastro - ‘PENNELLATURE MUSICALI’ BY MARCELLA CRUDELI, with the participation of Angelo Angelastro, TG1 journalist and writer, who presented his book “Il bel tempo di Tripoli”. Te event took place in memory of Alfredo Cuomo, 10 years after his death. Father of the Cuomo Foundation, in 2004 he gave birth to the partnership between the philanthropic organization and the Competition.

36 37 www.chopinfederation.pl Te competition received the patronage of the Italian It also collaborates with the “Il Tempietto Association” UNESCO National Commission, the UNESCO Club of which organizes concerts at the Teatro Marcello and at the Rome, the Order of Malta, the Lazio Regional Councils Sala Baldini, historic places in Rome. Te Fryderyk Chopin and the Presidency of the Capitoline Assembly. Te event Association organizes concerts in the ffteenth-century cloister was made thanks to: of the Confraternity of San Giovanni Battista de’ Genovesi. Poste Italiane; Embassy of the Republic of China A special mention goes to the “Salotto di Marcella (Taiwan) to the Holy See; Rotary Club Roma Ovest; Crudeli”: the founder and President of the Fryderyk Chopin Inner Wheel Club Roma Romae; Ecotec Group; Alfonsi Association has resumed an ancient and unfortunately dis- Pianos; KNS Classical; Music Talent Lab; Paolo and Paola appeared tradition of bringing together writers, musicians, Spigarelli; Technologies and Communications; Donzelli professionals from various sectors in her home to create a family; Adolfo Tagliero; Antonino Murmura Foundation; synergy in the feld of culture and music in particular. Liliana Gallo Montarsolo. Te aim is also to make talented young people known, Te Fryderyk Chopin Cultural Association, in addition as well as to bring to the attention of the public profles of to the organization of the “Roma” International Piano musicians and composers in particular, of cultural expo- Competition, carries out an intense concert activity also nents and professionals, many of whom have made them- aimed at promoting young talents at prestigious schools in selves meritorious towards the Association and its activities. the capital, including the Vivona high school. Te Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw (Warszawa / POLAND)

Te Chopin Society 2020 report briefy goes back to the autumn of the previous year. In November 2019 the Society celebrated its 85th an- niversary. Te jubilee event was held in the Staszic Palace in Warsaw and provided the opportunity to take a look at the achievements and major events in the history of the Chopin Society. Karol Radziwonowicz gave a piano recital. Te capacity audience included persons from the Society’s local branches in Sanniki, Żychlin, Aleksandra Bobrowska’s recital. Basilica of St John the Baptist, Brochów. Ostrów Wielkopolski, Gdańsk and Supraśl. Due to the pandemic, some Joanna Ławrynowicz, Julia Łozowska, In March 2020 Dr Ewa Sławińska- concerts had to be cancelled, oth- Rafał Łuszczewski, Karolina Nadolska, Dahlig (a musicologist with a PhD st ers were held online. Te 61 season Szymon Nehring, Piotr Pawlak, Karol in arts & humanities) became the of the Chopin concerts in Warsaw’s Radziwonowicz, Tomasz Ritter, Maria Society’s new Director General. She Royal Łazienki Park, which are out- Szraiber, Aleksandra Świgut, Andrzej took over from Director Antoni door events, was for the frst time Wierciński. As in the previous years, Grudziński after his retirement. moved to the Internet. All recitals the co-organisers of the concerts Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, were recorded in the Łazienki Park’s were Stołeczna Estrada and Muzeum the Chopin Society succeeded in Orangery and , and Łazienki Królewskie. holding live concerts at the Basilica were made available on all successive Another online project was Maria of St John the Baptist in Brochów. Sundays from mid-May to the end of Gabryś-Heyke’s recital on a Krall & Te Summer Chopin Concerts pro- September. Te recorded recitals are Seidler piano, the oldest Polish-made ject, which in 2020 ran into its 13th still available on the Chopin Society’s piano (1830). Te recital, featuring edition, is held in the church which YouTube channel [Towarzystwo im. works from the 1820s and the 1830s is linked in a special way with the F. Chopina / TiFC]. Te perform- by Polish composers Józef Elsner, Chopin family. As usual, the concerts ers included Maria Gabryś-Heyke, Karol Kurpiński, Maria Szymanowska were held on every Sunday in July Adam Goździewski, Adam Kałduński, and Fryderyk Chopin, was video- and August and were well attended. Bronisława Kawalla, Rinko Kobayashi, recorded on 7 June 2020 in the Staszic Te project received fnancial support Julia Kociuban, Jacek Kortus, Paweł Palace’s Hall of Mirrors, and is avail- from the Ministry of Culture and Kowalski, Przemysław Lechowski, able on the Chopin Society’s YouTube National Heritage.

Chopin in the World 2020 38 went to Narodowy Instytut Fryderyka Chopina for Janusz Olejniczak – Chopin: 57 Mazurków / Mazurkas; Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin in the category of re- released historical recordings went to DUX for Chopin: Songs / Pieśni i piosnki Op. 74, Henryka Januszewska (soprano), Marek Drewnowski (piano) (the original recording was made in 1988). Special Prize in the category of recordings made on con- temporary instruments was awarded to Narodowy Instytut Fryderyka Chopina for , Mischa Maisky – Chopin: Piano Concerto; Piotr Pawlak. Recordings in the Royal Łazienki Park in Warsaw. Sonata in G minor for piano and cello (Op. 65); Sinfonia Varsovia, Jacek Kaspszyk. Narodowy Instytut Fryderyka Chopina also received fve honourable mentions, two in the category of recordings made on con- temporary instruments and three in the category of recordings made on period instruments. In November 2020 the 28th issue of the Rocznik Chopinowski came out. Te articles, contributed by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger, Kuniko Inoue, Piotr Mysłakowski, Tokimasa Sekiguchi, Zbigniew Skowron, Krzysztof Dorcz, Piotr Dahlig, discuss Fryderyk Chopin’s biography, teach- Maria Gabryś-Heyke at a 1830 Krall & Seidler piano. Staszic Palace, Warsaw. ing methods and pedagogic-aesthetic views. Tey describe the complicated channel. Te recording opened a Chopin in the category of recordings fortunes of the composer’s correspond- new chapter in the life of this nearly made on contemporary instruments ence and the cult of Chopin in Poland two-hundred-year-old instrument went to Deutsche Grammophon for and the world. Te articles abound in new details and hitherto unpublished built by the renowned Warsaw piano Seong-Jin Cho – Chopin: Piano th manufacturer. On that same day the Concerto No. 1; , London sources. Te publication of the 28 is- frst presentation of the renovated Symphony Orchestra, Gianandrea sue was co-funded by the Ministry of piano was made to a select group of Noseda; Grand Prix du Disque Culture and National Heritage. people. Te instrument was restored Frédéric Chopin in the category of re- in Andrzej Włodarczyk’s piano work- cordings made on period instruments shop in Słupno. One of the Chopin Society’s projects is the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin Record Competition (since 1985). In September 2020 the results of the 9th Competition were announced. After assessing 51 one/two CD recordings submit- ted by 7 record companies, the Jury (Bronisława Kawalla, Andrzej Jasiński, Andrzej Lupa, Piotr Paleczny, Karol Radziwonowicz, Adam Rozlach, Ewa Sławińska-Dahlig, Wojciech Świtała) awarded the following main prizes: Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Covers of the 26th-28th issues of Rocznik Chopinowski (2018-2020).

38 39 www.chopinfederation.pl Société Frédéric Chopin Genève (Genève / SWITZERLAND)

La Société Frédéric Chopin Genève a inauguré traditionnellement sa nouvelle saison musicale 2019 à Collonge-Bellerive, siège de la Société. Le Concert du Printemps du samedi 13 avril à la Salle Willy Buard, a été donné par Christian Chamorel, pianiste suisse de renommée, qui a interprété des œuvres de Mozart, Mendelssohn et Chopin. Très appré- cié, il a été chaleureusement applaudi François Dumont au Studio Ernest-Ansermet par le public. Ce concert fut dédié Le concert d’ouverture du Festival a la Salle de récital de l’Institut Jaques- en mémoire de Mireille, notre chère eu lieu le dimanche 6 octobre au Studio Dalcroze. Tous les participants ont reçu Amie décédée subitement, membre de Ernest Ansermet. François Dumont, en cadeau le double CD de l’intégrale la Société Chopin depuis sa création. lauréat de plusieurs concours interna- des Nocturnes par François Dumont. Comme chaque automne, et de- tionaux dont le prestigieux Concours Un disque exceptionnel ! Sans doute, puis vingt-deux ans, le Festival Chopin International Chopin de Varsovie une des meilleures interprétations de 2019 s’est déroulé du 6 au 15 octobre en 2010, a interprété un magnifque notre époque. et a poursuivi sa forme itinérante à tra- programme composé exclusivement Le soliste du deuxième concert vers Genève, en passant par le Studio d’œuvres de Chopin. Une atmosphère du Festival, du 8 octobre, Konrad Ernest-Ansermet de la RTS, la Salle magique, une émotion profonde. Une Binienda, jeune talent d’origine polo- Willy-Buard à Collonge-Bellerive, la soirée inoubliable ! naise actuellement habitant aux Etats- Salle des Nations du splendide Hôtel Puis du 9 au 11 octobre, pen- Unis, s’est fait connaître comme étant des Bergues de Genève, la Salle Frank dant trois jours consécutifs, François non seulement un excellent interprète Martin ou encore la Salle de récital de Dumont a tenu la Chopin Masterclass. de Chopin mais également comme un l’Institut Jaques-Dalcroze. Lors du premier jour, le mercredi 9 compositeur remarquable. C’est dans Quatre nouveaux pianistes fgu- octobre une conférence intitulée « Un la charmante Salle Willy Buard de raient pour la première fois à l’afche moment d’échange autour de Chopin » Collonge-Bellerive que le public a eu la de notre festival : François Dumont, a suivi le cours d’interprétation. La joie de découvrir ses multiples facettes. Konrad Binienda, Pawel Kowalski et Masterclass s’est terminée par son Cette année, une nouveauté dans Szymon Nehring. traditionnel concert des participants à la programmation : les pianistes du concert du 13 et du 15 octobre, ont interprété en première partie de ré- cital des œuvres pour piano seul de Fryderyk Chopin puis en seconde partie les Concertos de Chopin en mi mineur et en fa mineur avec quintette. Le dimanche 13 octobre, nous avons accueilli dans la Salle des Nations du majestueux et historique Hôtel des Bergues le pianiste polonais Paweł Kowalski. La Salle des Nations de l’Hô- tel des Bergues, construite en 1834, a gardé jusqu’aujourd’hui son caractère du XIXème siècle si proche dans son ambiance de l’atmosphère des salons parisiens de l’époque lorsque Fryderyk Chopin se mettait au piano. Le mardi 15 octobre, dans la Salle Frank Martin, Szymon Nehring, jeune pianiste polonais, repéré lors du Concours Chopin de Varsovie en 2015

Chopin in the World 2020 40 et lauréat du Concours Rubinstein de Tel-Aviv en 2017, a interprété avec beaucoup de rafnement le Concerto en fa mineur. Le public a remercié chaleureusement sa prestation. Le Festival Chopin peut être fer d’avoir contribué au fl des ans, et ce depuis 1998, à la résurrection de ces versions en formation de chambre. C’est irrésistiblement aux re- marquables musiciens du Quintette Ephémère que nous avons confé cette mission, et qui cette année était com- posé d’Olivia Jacobson et Elsa-Camille Sapin aux violons, Florane Grufel à l’alto, Florestan Darbellay au violoncelle Paweł Kowalski dans la Salle des Nations au Bergues et Rostyslav Burko à la contrebasse. Le public enthousiaste était présent au rendez-vous et tous les concerts ont remporté un vif succès ! L’impulsion donnée à l’organisation d’un festival décentralisé, nous a confrmé une fois encore, que nous avons fait le bon choix. Ce changement lui a donné un soufe nouveau. Grâce à la Société Frédéric Chopin, la Musique de Chopin demeure vi- vante à Genève ! Aldona Budrewicz-Jacobson Présidente Szymon Nehring avec quintette Ephémère dans la salle Frank Martin Bangkok Chopin Society Outstanding Professor. In Music by the Council of Tailand Universities Senate). (Bangkok / THAILAND) Te compositions for piano were by Professor Dr. Weerachat Premananda with poems by Kamolvan Activities : Punyashthiti. BCS in cooperation Te Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Bangkok pre- with the Embassy of the sented an event (in collaboration with the Bangkok Chopin Republic of Poland pre- Society and Alliance Francaise) “Chopin, From Warsaw th sented “Young Pianists, to Bangkok” on 12 March 2020, 6:00 p.m at Alliance International Prize Francaise. It was a Concert and Exhibition dedicated to Winners’Concert” on the great Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. After the con- 27th November 2019 cert performed by young pianists with special guest per- at 7:00 p.m. at the former Eve Pannita Mamanee there was the opening of the Siam Music Yamaha Exhibition by H.E. Ambassador Waldemar Dubaniowski. Auditorium. Te pianists aged from 11 to 17 years were Pasit Refreshments were served. Wattanalekhawong, Trinity Jantarach, Chakrit Khanonvej Te audience that flled the Alliance Francaise Hall and Pannita Mamanee. Guest singer Indre Balakauskas that evening praised for the most successful Concert and (10 years old ) sang songs by Chopin accompanied by her Exhibition. mother Indhuon Srikaranonda Balakauskas. Another activity of the Bangkok Chopin Society in col- On 13th February 2020, 7:00 p.m BCS presented An laboration with Mater Dei School Bangkok and Fukuoka Evening of Music and Poetry at Tongsuang’s Piano Music Japan Girls’ High School is a Cultural Exchange Project Hall. A gathering of friends congratulated Professor which this year has been postponed to another time when Dr. Weerachat Premananda (the recipient of the 2019 the pandemic is over. Outstanding Professor in Humanities and Music Award BCS hopes to continue its activities with the kind sup- by Chulalongkorn University) and Associate Professor Dr. port of organizations and the music community. Tongsuang Israngkun (the recipient of the 2019 National

41 www.chopinfederation.pl Chopin International Academy of TOVAK Foundation (Istambul / TURKEY)

As we are all in a special situation due to COVID, previous plans and Projects were changed or, unfortunately cancelled. Te 1st Chopin International Piano Competition will be postponed most probably to next year (2021). We will try to announce the exact date as early as possible. Together with the General Consulate of the Polish Republic in Istanbul, the Chopin International Academy of TOVAK Foundation organised a Concert of tradi- tional Christmas carols for Polish-Turkish families living in Istanbul. Te name of Fryderyk Chopin was mentioned during the concert several times when the Christmas song “Lulajże Jezuniu” used by the composer in his Scherzo in B minor Op. 20 was performed. On the occasion of Fryderyk Chopin’s 210th birthday anniversary, celebrations were held as part of the “Chopin in Turkey – Chopin for Everyone” Project. Tis year, Dr Irena Ülkü proposed educational concerts – meetings with Fryderyk Chopin’s music in the homes of children and their Families: “Invite Chopin to your Home”. Te beginning of the series of the concerts were held in Istanbul together with some Families. On that occasion, Chopin’s music was performed by children and by Dr Irena Ülkü. Te families had a unique opportunity to watch videos about Chopin’s life in Warsaw and to listen to an educational talk about the importance of his wonderful piano and chamber music for the people in the World. Te participants cooked special birthday cakes for that occasion. All children, their parents and invited friends enjoyed the 210th anniversary birthday celebration of the great Polish pianist and composer Fryderyk Chopin in Turkey.

Chopin in the World 2020 42 Chopin Society of Atlanta October 27, 2019. His all-Chopin program included such beloved works as Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-fat major, (Atlanta / USA) Op.61, Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2, and Waltz in A-fat major, Op. 34 No 1. Te second part of his recital Chopin Society of Atlanta’s 2019-20 season opened was entirely devoted to one form, the mazurka. With the with a lecture by Professor John Rink, a prize-winning au- unique compendium of 18 mazurkas, Babayan painted a thor and expert on Chopin’s music, presented on June 30, beautiful, poetic story that left the audience mesmerized. th 2019. Te talk focused on Chopin’s enduring legacy and Te 6 edition of the Chopin in Art contest for chil- illuminated the composer’s unique approach to the piano. dren was organized in the Fall of 2019. Tis popular con- test gives the youngest audience an opportunity to express the impact of Chopin’s music through visual arts.

John Rink Lecture with CSA President Dorota Lato

Winner of the frst prizes in several major international competitions, including the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Sergei Babayan was CSA’s guest artist on Chopin in Art by Aengus Breslin

Sergei Babayan & CSA President Dorota Lato Chopin in Art by Audrey Yu

42 43 www.chopinfederation.pl Emilia Folkert Te 2019-20 season concluded with the recital by Elodin Vignon and Kyung-Ah Kim on February 22, 2020. Elodin Vignon is an accomplished Belgian pianist, hailed as “exceptional, sensitive and fawless.” Kyung-Ah Kim is the winner of numerous piano competitions, including the USA Beethoven Competition; she currently teaches piano at Seoul National University, South Korea. Te Chopin Society of Atlanta, founded in 2000, is a non-proft organization devoted to promoting Fryderyk Chopin’s music, advancing the understanding and appre- ciation of his legacy, and promoting the arts in the metro Atlanta area. Te essence of our mission lies in enriching Chopin in Art by Eylul Ondortoglu children’s education. We support the belief that increases young people’s intellectual abilities, stirs On February 1, 2020, the Chopin Society of Atlanta their imagination, introduces them to a beautiful world of celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special Gala Evening emotions, and helps them gain a better understanding of with Chopin, which highlighted the organization’s history human nature. and accomplishments. It was accompanied by a recital of We accomplish our mission by organizing competi- young musicians from Georgia State University. Tese tal- tions for young pianists, sponsoring awards for local piano ented artists are the recipients of the Elżbieta and Krzysztof competitions, inviting local young artists to perform at our Krawczyński Fund of CSA scholarships, which allowed fundraising events, as well as sponsoring concert tickets to them to study in Paris, France, and Valldemossa, Majorca, music students and prizes for the participants of our popu- during the summer of 2019. lar after-concert essay and Chopin in Art contests. Our recitals have featured internation- ally acclaimed pianists, many of whom were prize winners of the Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition and other prestigious international piano competi- tions, including Rafał Blechacz, , Christopher O’Riley, Sa Chen, Joyce Yang, Alex Kobrin, Kevin Kenner, Margarita Shevchenko, Piotr Folkert, Marc Laforet, Ewa Pobłocka, Ilya Yakushev, Eduard Kunz, and Georgijs Osokins. We have also hosted jazz musicians who presented their interpre- tations of Chopin’s music: Leszek Możdżer, Adam Makowicz, Andrzej Jagodziński Trio, and Grażyna Auguścik. We invite you to visit our web- site, www.chopinatlanta.org, which fea- tures interviews with our guest musicians, videos and photos from our concerts, newsletter, and winning artwork.

Chopin in Art Contest Award Presentation

Chopin in the World 2020 44 Chopin Foundation is currently a professor at Stetson the announcement of the six fnalists. University and was a prize winner Each day, the public was treated to of the United States of the 2005 National Chopin Piano morning and afternoon recital sessions (Miami / USA) Competition. with a total of 55 live performances that were free and open to everyone. Te 10th National Chopin Each day, the Competition was also Tis has been a remarkable year for Piano Competition live-streamed and the resulting videos the United States and really the entire are being made available on YouTube, world. An international pandemic, It is nothing short of a miracle one round at a time. social unrest, environmental disasters, that the Chopin Foundation’s fag- On Friday, February 28 and in col- and a volatile political environment ship event, that takes place once every laboration with Te Fryderyk Chopin have all presented challenges. Yet, fve years, was successfully concluded Institute from Warsaw Poland, a spe- through it all, the Chopin Foundation on March 1, 2020. Less than two cial concert was presented to celebrate has remained steadfast to its mission weeks later the Miami-Dade County the 10th edition (and 45th anniversa- to support young, talented American Auditorium was closed and Florida ry) of the Miami Competition, while pianists and to make the music of was virtually shut down due to the also promoting the 18th International Chopin accessible to everyone. COVID-19 pandemic. It was beyond Chopin Piano Competition that has We began the 2019-2020 concert fortunate that the Foundation was now been rescheduled for October season with the Chopin for All free able to welcome attendees and par- 2021. Te featured guest artist, concerts. In October we welcomed ticipants from across the entire U.S. Yulianna Avdeeva, who was the frst Polish pianist, Łukasz Krupiński who as well as many international guests. prize winner of the International made his Florida debut as part of our We welcomed travelers from Poland, Chopin Piano Competition in 2010, cultural exchange with the Ludwig France, England, Spain and Italy in gave an impressive performance that van Beethoven Association in Warsaw. addition to a local audience. thrilled the Miami audience. His program was well received by Te 10th National Chopin Piano It was truly an honor to welcome an enthusiastic audience and in- Competition began with the arrival Dr. Artur Szklener, the Executive cluded works by Scriabin, Schubert, of 25 contestants on February 20th. Director of Te Fryderyk Chopin Ravel, and of course, Chopin. Te Te pianists represented some of the Institute, and his professional team November concert featured Florida absolute best young American musi- from Poland. It was especially mean- native and winner of the Music cians and they came to Miami from ingful for the Chopin Foundation Teachers National Association Young 13 diferent states. On February 21, to have this important group from Artist Competition, Dominic Muzzi. an orientation was held at the concert Poland with us in Miami to work with His program included Sonatas by hall where the order of contestants us on this special event. Teir support Brahms and Chopin. Mr. Muzzi was was determined and each of the pia- was deeply appreciated. later accepted to compete at the 2020 nists selected one of the two beauti- On February 29 the frst 3 fnal- National Chopin Piano Competition ful concert grand pianos that were ists performed Chopin Concertos and advanced through the semi-fnal provided by our sponsor, Steinway & with the University of Miami’s Frost round. Sons Pianos. Over the course of the Symphony Orchestra under the baton On November 24, 2019 we pre- next 6 days (February 22 - 27) the pia- of special Polish guest conductor, sented the American pianist, Sean nists participated in three elimination Marzena Diakun and the Competition Kennard at a beautiful Chopin Salon rounds which eventually resulted in concluded on March 1 with the re- concert on Miami Beach. Kennard maining 3 fnalists performing with the Orchestra. Te winners were announced at the awards ceremony which immediately followed. Te top prize winner, Avery Gagliano, received a cash award of $100,000, a recording project on the Steinway & Sons label, and an extensive concert tour of the US and abroad, including a recital at presented by the Chopin Foundation. Te Carnegie Hall performance was origi- nally scheduled for Jun 16, 2020 and has now been rescheduled for January 26, 2021. Many of her other concert dates will also be rescheduled. We are now looking forward to the 2021 International Competition Łukasz Krupiński – Receiving a standing ovation

44 45 www.chopinfederation.pl in Warsaw. Our frst and second prize winners, Avery Gagliano and Evren Ozel have been accepted to the event and we have high hopes for them as well as our other fnalists, Parker Van Ostrand, Chelsea Guo, and Talon Smith who were accepted to enter the Preliminary round.

Special Award Tis year the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) awarded the Chopin Foundation with their “Achievement Award.” Tis is MTNA’s highest honor and is MTNA Award – Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, President & Founder of the Chopin Foundation bestowed upon individuals and enti- and Gary Ingle, Executive Director & CEO of the Music Teachers National Association ties who have made signifcant and lasting contributions to the music Aleksander, Peter Miyamoto and Tian Foundation has pivoted to an on- teaching profession. Our Founder Ying selected 21 outstanding young line format. Te “Chopin Salons and President, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel pianists to receive awards in 2020 @ Home” were created as curated was also honored personally as the that will help further their piano stud- episodes that feature the winners and recipient of the MTNA Citation for ies. Pianists can enter the program jurors of the 2020 Competition, as Leadership. Both awards were pre- at age 14 and over the course of the well as other great pianists that are sented by MTNA Executive Director 4-year program, they must learn the part of the Chopin Foundation fam- and CEO, Gary Ingle who came to repertoire required for the National ily. All episodes can be found at www. Miami for the 2020 National Chopin (and International) Chopin Piano chopin.org/news. Piano Competition. Competition. Tree of this year’s com- Respectfully submitted by Barbara petition six fnalists were graduates of Muze, Executive Director of the the 4-year scholarship program. Chopin Foundation of the US Scholarships Te Chopin Foundation received Programs Online a record number of applications to the Scholarship Program for Young Since the 2020 Concert Season Pianists. Te Scholarship Committee has been cut short and plans for the which included pianists Adam current year are tenuous, the Chopin

Competition Awards Ceremony – winners, jurors, and sponsors

Chopin in the World 2020 46 REMEMBRANCES

Jan Krenz (1926-2020)

an Austrian pianist and pedagogue, who was considered as one of the major Polish conductor and composer. Jan Krenz stood at the helm of such orchestras as the Great Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice (WOSPR), the Orchestra of the National Teatre in Warsaw and the Beethovenhalle Orchestra in Bonn. As a conductor, he was successful in leading such orchestras as the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Berliner Philharmoniker, the in Amsterdam and the Danmarsk Radio Orchestra in . He conducted many frst performances of works by Polish composers, including Lutosławski, Górecki and Baird.

His compositions were a synthesis of traditional thinking and experiences of the avant-garde.

Jan Krenz was a member of the Polish Chopin Academy.

Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020)

Polish composer, conductor and teacher. Penderecki taught com- position in Cracow, Essen and at Yale University in New Haven. As a conductor, he began with directing his own works, with time extending the repertoire to other composers, from Beethoven to Stravinsky, leading many renowned orchestras in Europe, Japan and the United States.

Penderecki is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, deliberately changing his attitude from the avant-garde to Neo-romanticism. His output is impressive in the wealth of diferent genres and his works, such as the Trenody to the Victims of Hiroshima, or the St. Luke Passion have earned a permanent spot in the repertoires of major ensembles around the world. Penderecki also received a remarkable number of awards and titles, including many Honoris Causa degrees. He was a member of the Honorary Committee of the International Federation of Chopin Societies.

46 47 www.chopinfederation.pl MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CHOPIN SOCIETIES:

Fundacion Chopiniana Chopin-Gesellschaft Hannover Foundation of International Chopin Festivals President: Martha Noguera President: Sookie Schober in Duszniki Zdrój Av. de Mayo 1370 - Palacio Barolo 6° foor ofce 127 Hon. President: Mrs. Beate Geiseler President: Mariusz Fituch C.A.Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA Kirchröder Str. 42 Rynek 10, 57-340 Duszniki Zdrój, POLAND Tel./Fax: + 54 11 47 73 22 95 D-30625 Hannover, GERMANY Tel: + 49 511-55-42-22, Fax: + 49 511 55 07 78 Tel./Fax: + 48 74 866 92 80 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] website: fundacionchopiniana.com.ar website: www.chopin.festival.pl website: www.chopin-hannover.de Friends of Chopin Australia Inc. Chopin Golden Ring Institute György Ferenczy Foundation President: Ben James President: Janez Rozman President: Izabela Darska Havasi PO Box 6093 Šercerjeva 35 Nagyszekes U, 8 O’CONNOR ACT, 2602 AUSTRALIA SI-4240 Radovljica, SLOVENIA HU – 1172 Budapest, HUNGARY e-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +61 2 625 95 099 Tel: + 36 1 253 66 40 Association „Festivals Chopin de Valldemossa” e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] website: www.friendsofchopin.org.au President: Rosa Capplonch Ferra website: www.chopin-budapest.hu Celda No 2 en la Cartuja de Valldemossa, Internationale Chopin-Gesellschaft in Wien Te Chopin Society in Israel Claustre de la Cartoixa 2, President: Teodor Kanitzer President: Alexander Tamir † 07170 Valldemossa, Mallorca, SPAIN Biberstrasse 4, P.O.Box 410, Jerusalem, ISRAEL e-mail: [email protected] A-1010 Vienna, AUSTRIA e-mail: [email protected] website: www.festivalchopin.com Tel.: + 43 1 512 23 74, Fax: + 43 1 512 23 74/75 website: www.klassi.net/targ/chopin Institut Frederic Chopin en Suisse President: Magdalena Hirsz e-mail: [email protected] Associazione Culturale „Fryderyk Chopin” website: www.chopin.at rue Grande Rue 22, 1820 Montreux President: Marcella Crudeli 1820 Montreux, SWITZERLAND Te Vancouver Chopin Society Via Pierfranco Bonetti, 88/90 +41 77 489 81 66 President: Iko Bylicki I-00128 Rome, ITALY e-mail: [email protected] # 400 - 601 West Broadway Avenue Tel./Fax: +39 06 5073889 website: www.institutchopin.com Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4C2 , CANADA e-mail: [email protected] www.jeunechopin.com e-mail: [email protected] website: www.chopinroma.it Schweizerische Chopin-Gesellschaft in Basel website: www.chopinsociety.org Te Frederic Chopin Society of Japan President: Alicja Masan President: Hitoshi Kobayashi Postfach 4002 Basel, SWITZERLAND Sociedad Frederico Chopin de Chile c/o Kawai Musical Inst. Mfg. Co. Ltd, Tel./Fax: +41 61 313 05 30 President: Cristobal Giesen Sumitomo fudosan shinagawa Bidg. 2F e-mail: [email protected] Mirafores 178 - Piso 13 4-10-27 Higashi-shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Website: www.chopin-gesellschaft.ch 7600981 Santiago, CHILE Tokyo, 140-0002 JAPAN Société Frédéric Chopin Genève e-mail: [email protected] Tel.: + 81 333 79 28 03 President: Aldona Budrewicz-Jacobson website: www.sociedad-chopin.cl e-mail: [email protected] Case postale 18, Společnost Fryderyka Chopina website: www.chopin-society-japan.com CH-1222 Vésenaz, SWITZERLAND President: Martin Kasik International Chopin Festival in Japan e-mail: [email protected] website: www.societe-chopin.ch Dům Chopin, Hlavni 47, President: Hiroyuki Takashima 353 01 Mariánské Láznĕ, CZECH REPUBLIC 1-20-2-307 Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Te Frederic Chopin Foundation of Taipei Tel./Fax: + 42 0354 595 267, + 420 777 670 319 Postal Code 150-0013 Tokyo, JAPAN President: Anna Fujita e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Tel: +81 3 6450 3307, +81 90 3009 3951, Fax: +81 3 6450 3308 5F,No.17,Ln.26,Yixian Rd.,Xinyi Dist. e-mail: [email protected], Taipei 110, TAIWAN website: www.chopinfestival.cz Tel.: +886 2 27 51 61 27, +886 2 27 81 33 60 website: www.t-artists.com Société Chopin à Paris e-mail: [email protected] President: Antoine Paszkiewicz Te Frederic Chopin Society of Korea website: www.chopintaipei.org.tw 23, avenue Foch, President: Suk Kim Bangkok Chopin Society 75116 Paris, FRANCE Chong-Pil Lim President: Lucia Menchavez Tangsuphanich Piano Department, School of Music Tel: + 33 145 00 22 19, Fax: + 33 140 67 70 08 Hon. Secretary: Ms. Kamolvan Noot Punyashthiti Hanyang University e-mail: [email protected] 272 Soi Sri Nakorn, Linchee Rd.,Chongnonsi, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu Bangkok 10120, THAILAND website: www.frederic-chopin.com Seoul, 04763, REPUBLIC OF KOREA Tel.: 662 089 039 6021 Association „Musique au Pays de George Sand” e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] website: sway.com/5cJmEuXoM9EEE8Pw President: Yves Henry Kosovo Chopin Society 7, avenue George Sand, Faculty of Arts-Music Departament Prishtina Chopin International Academy of TOVAK Foundation 36400 La Châtre, FRANCE President: Lejla Pula President: Irena ÜLKÜ Tel: +33 25 406 04 95, Fax: +33 25 406 09 15 Adress: Maria Teresa Fahrettin Kerim Gökay Cd. Okul Sk. Altunizade Sitesi F e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Prishtina, KOSOVO Blok D. 1 Üsküdar, Istambul, TURKEY website: www.pays-lachatre-berry.com/nohant/chopin Tel: + 38 138 220 446, Fax: + 38 138 220 446 Tel.: (+90) 531 772 18 35, Tel.: (+48) 505 082 777 Fryderyk Chopin-Gesellschaft in Berlin e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] President: Jolanta Bork Chopin Stichting Nederland website: www.chopintovak.org August-Viktoria-str 24, President: Jurn A.W. Buisman Frederick Chopin Society in Ukraine D-14193 Berlin, GERMANY p/a Museum Geelvinck President: Natalia Vorobyova Tel/Fax: + 49 30 826 40 46 Kamperweg 23 vul. Vernadskogo 18 kv. 40 e-mail: [email protected] 8181CS Heerde, NETHERLANDS 49027 Dnepropetrovsk, UKRAINE Chopin Gesellschaft in der BRD e.V. e-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +38 050 176 5849 e-mail: [email protected] President: Aleksandra Mikulska Te Frederic Chopin Palestinian Society President: Saleem Zougbi Chopin Foundation of the United States, Inc. Kasinostrasse 3, Kennedy-Haus, P. O. Box 228, Bethlehem, PALESTINE President: Blanka A. Rosenstiel D-64293 Darmstadt, GERMANY Tel: + (970) or (972) 2 2777141 1440 79th Street Causeway, suite 117, Tel./Fax: + 49 (0)6155 7952606 Miami, Florida 33141, USA Email: [email protected], Tel.: + 1 305 868 06 24, Fax: + 1 305 868 51 50 Mobile: +49 152 286 70 334 WhatsApp +970 599180918 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] website: www.chopin-gesellschaft.de Polish Chopin Academy website: www.chopin.org President: Irena Poniatowska Fryderyk Chopin Society of Connecticut Chopin-Gesellschaft Hamburg Sachsenwald e.V. ul. Tamka 43 President: Luiz Carlos de Moura Castro President: Hubert Rutkowski 00-355 Warszawa, POLAND 38 East Woodhaven Drive Kirchberg 8 Tel: + 48 22 44 16 197 Avon, CT 06001-2425, USA DE-21521 Wohltorf bei Hamburg, GERMANY Tel.: +1 860 675 6363 Tel./Fax: +49 (0)4104 2489 Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] President: Bronisława Kawalla website: www.chopinsociety.org Karol Radziwonowicz website: www.chopin-hamburg.de Chopin Society of Atlanta ul Tamka 43, Chopin-Gesellschaft Taunus e.V. President: Dorota Lato 00-355 Warszawa, POLAND 10700 State Bridge Road, Suite 12, President: Ilse Schwarz-Schiller Tel.: (+48) 22 826 65 49, (+48) 22 828 38 73, Johns Creek, Georgia 30022, USA Zimmersmühlenweg 27, Fax: (+48) 22 827 95 89 Tel.: +1 404 245 6133 D-61440 Oberursel, Hochtaunuskreis, GERMANY e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] website: www.chopin.pl website: www.chopinatlanta.org

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