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13th International Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz

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Ignacy Jan Paderewski (6 November 1860 – 29 June 1941) starring in the innocent and lyrical film  Moonlight Sonata  (1936) Through the great generosity of the organizers, I was invited to the Finals and Laureates' Concert of  the 13th International Paderewski Piano Competition   https://paderewskicompetition.pl/ My reviews, as they are no longer in an 'official' capacity, will be more of an overall impression than my usual detailed, contextual approach Finals of the   13th International Paderewski Piano Competition  List of PARTICIPANTS selected to the FINAL of the 13th International Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz 2025 AOSHIMA Shuhei Liszt - Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major , S. 124 This was a fine performance of an difficult although rather short concerto. Overall I felt there could have been far more Lisztian fire and urgency although the Quasi - Adagio had a beautiful singing cantabile with affecting phrasing. S uch an unusual and rather ambiguo...
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Polish Independence Day, the 107th Anniversary of Independence and the Armistice of the Great War, 11 November 2025 - The Chopin Soul, Paderewski and Moniuszko - some personal reminiscences

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Reminiscences The Chopin Soul, Paderewski and Moniuszko 107th Anniversary Polish  Declaration of Independence  11 November 2025 107th Anniversary of the Armistice of the Great War Pencil drawing of Fryderyk Chopin by the great Francois-Xavier Winterhalter 2 May 1847  These thoughts come in the midst of the increasing horrors of war in the Middle East, echoes of the Covid pandemic which has thankfully passed and the brutal continuation of a murderous war in Ukraine. These are the greatest calamities to strike the world since the two world wars.  One must never forget, in fact remember with  even  greater intensity, the immense sacrifices that were made then so that we can live in freedom. Yes, and given the freedom to embrace the miraculous advances in medical science and peace offered by the European Union.  On a day celebrating the 107th Anniversary of Poland regaining independence (a country that for 123 years existed not on maps but as a virtual rea...
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