Chopin’s Piano

Nova Music and Architecture

Recital

Data wydarzenia

01.08.2025r. 17:00

Location

Rehearsal Room CKK Jordanki

Entrance

Admission free *

Piano recital commemorating the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising

Lily Phee (Singapur) – piano
Urszula Urzędowska – host

F. Chopin:

Preludes Op. 28 No. 13 – 18
Mazurkas Op. 33
Scherzo in E major Op. 54
Ballada in F major Op. 38
Walc in E-flat major Op. 18
Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise in E-flat major Op. 22

On the 81st anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, we invite you to a unique piano recital—a moving tribute to the heroes of one of the most significant and dramatic chapters in Polish history. The music of Frederic Chopin will resound in homage to their courage and sacrifice.

Taking the stage will be Lily Phee, an outstanding pianist from Singapore and recipient of the extra-statutory prize awarded by the Toruń Symphony Orchestra at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Turzno.

The concert programme will be entirely devoted to the works of Frederic Chopin—a composer whose music has, for generations, conveyed profound emotion, expressive depth, and a powerful sense of patriotism.

We will hear Preludes Op. 28, Nos. 13–18, a selection from the larger cycle of 24 preludes composed in the spirit of Bach. These six pieces span a remarkable emotional range—from quiet reflection to rising tension and melancholic introspection.

The Mazurkas Op. 33, full of rhythmic vitality, stir the imagination with echoes of traditional Polish dances such as the oberek and the more lyrical mazurka. Though not written for dancing, they evoke movement and national spirit.

Another item on the agenda is the Scherzo in E major Op. 54—the last of Chopin’s four scherzos. This work surprises with its lyrical tone and intricate structure. Though “scherzo” means “joke” in Italian, Chopin infuses the form with a philosophical depth, rich contrasts, and intense expressiveness.

A special highlight of the programme will be the Ballade in F major Op. 38, inspired by Adam Mickiewicz’s ballad Świteź and dedicated to Robert Schumann—a close friend and devoted admirer of Chopin’s artistry.

The concert will also feature the Waltz in E-flat major Op. 18, popularly known as the “Grand Waltz”. This youthful work, full of Parisian charm and bold flair, was dedicated to Chopin’s pupil and friend Laura Horsford. Its elegance, lightness, and spirited character have made it one of the composer’s most beloved waltzes.

Another jewel in the evening’s repertoire is the Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E-flat major Op. 22— a two-part composition that showcases the full range of Chopin’s expressive and technical mastery. The Andante spianato, lyrical and flowing with an almost improvisatory feel, seamlessly leads into the Grande Polonaise, a dazzling display of national pride, rhythmic vitality, and virtuosity. Composed over several years and completed in 1836, the piece was dedicated to Baroness d’Este. Though originally written for piano and orchestra, it is also performed in a solo version—as it will be on this occasion.

This evening is more than a concert; it is a moment of shared remembrance. Through Chopin’s music we pay tribute to those who fought for freedom, and his compositions, so deeply woven into the Polish spirit, will resonate with emotional power and timeless beauty.