The Chopin Festival, to be held over the weekend of the 15th/16th October 2022 at the Polish Social and Cultural Centre POSK in London, is a celebration of Poland’s unique musical genius, Fryderyk Chopin. All music performed at the Festival will be by the maestro, with audiences enjoying well-loved traditional performances by some truly exceptional musicians, as well as inspired new arrangements and interpretations of the classics, designed to delight and amaze the inquisitive ear. A variety of Chopin-inspired events (for both children and adults) will accompany the musical festivities.
Musical Programme
The musical journey will begin on Saturday the 15th of October, when the 300-capacity POSK Theatre will stage a Gala Concert starring the outstanding pianist and International Chopin Competition Laureate, Janusz Olejniczak, as well as the brilliant guitarist, Adam Palma, playing unique arrangements from his album, Adam Palma meets Chopin. They will be joined by the remarkable voices of Ewa Majcherczyk (soprano), and Marcin Gesla (baritone), accompanied by the wonderful Ewa Osińska on piano. The Gala concert will begin with the talented Artur Haftman playing the exquisite Romanza: Larghetto from Chopin’s Piano Concerto no.1 in E minor Op.11.
After the Gala Concert, the POSK Jazz Club will host Chopin Jazz, where the brilliant Alle Choir London and the exceptionally talented John Donegan on piano and Stephen Ellery on saxophone will delight the audience with inspired jazz arrangements of treasured classics.
On the afternoon of Sunday the 16th of October, the POSK Theatre will present the “Łazienki” concert, featuring the star Chopin Competition finalist Kamil Pacholec and the outstanding pianist John Paul Ekins, with the captivating dance artist, Natalia Meksa, accompanying him on some of the compositions. Their performances will be complemented by a truly special collaboration between the renowned harpist, Alina Bzhezhinska and the acclaimed flautist, Margaret Preston with their special guest the exquisite mezzo-soprano Rozanna Madylus.
Other Festivities
As well as musical performances, the festival will feature a number of Chopin-inspired attractions and events, including:
- A Chopin portrait competition for young people, jointly organised by the renowned portrait artist, Barbara Kaczmarowska-Hamilton, the Polish Saturday Schools Association and The Didactics Unit of the Polish University Abroad. 221 portraits have been submitted.
- The Film Chopin: Desire for Love directed by Jerzy Antczak and starring Piotr Adamczyk and Danuta Stenka will be screened in the POSK Theatre at 18.00 on Sunday 16th October.
- An essay on Chopin specially written for the festival by the eminent and distinguished historian, Professor Norman Davies will be published in the festival programme.
- A Chopin exhibition at the POSK gallery.
- A Holy Mass will be celebrated for Chopin at St. Andrew Bobola’s Church in west London on Sunday the 16th of October 2022, the day before the 173rd anniversary of Chopin’s death.
Festiwal Chopinowski jest wspólnym przedsięwzięciem Towarzystwa Pomocy Polakom (Charity No. 327128) & Polskiego Ośrodka Społeczno Kulturalnego (Charity No. 236745).
Producentem Festiwalu jest Janusz Sikora-Sikorski KC*SG janusz@sikorasikorski.com.
Portal British Poles is a media patron of the event.
