Janina Fialkowska

The first in a series of three concerts celebrating the Polish genius Frédéric Chopin. A virtuoso pianist himself, Chopin’s œuvre – of which every work involves the piano – is universally admired to this day. Described by her mentor, the legendary Arthur Rubinstein, as a “born Chopin interpreter”, Canadian-Polish pianist Janina Fialkowska has been enchanting audiences and critics around the world for 50 years. Janina showcases the great emotion underpinning Chopin’s music, from the mercurial Scherzo to the tumultuous, lyrical Ballade, with heartfelt tributes to his fatherland through passionate re-workings of its national dances, the Polonaise and the Mazurka. The programme is completed with much-loved pieces for solo piano by contemporaries of Chopin: Weber’s famously romantic waltz-rondo, Schumann in a world of twilight and dreams, and delightful miniatures from Grieg. PROGRAMME Weber Invitation to the Dance Grieg Lyric Pieces Schumann Fantasiestücke ~ Interval ~ Chopin Polonaise, Op. 26 No. 1 in C sharp minor Chopin Ballade No. 2 in F major Chopin Mazurka, Op. 7 No. 1 in B flat Chopin Mazurka, Op. 17 No. 2 in E minor Chopin Scherzo No. 4 in E major