Polart presents the Paderewski Piano Concerto

Konrad Olszewski at the Piano with the Zelman Symphony. 111 years after the composer performed on the same stage

The cultural highlight of the week long Polart festival was undoubtably the concert at the Town Hall. A number of fine Polish musicians played a varied program of Polish composers. Hofland Music had the privilige to record the Paderewski Piano Concerto. It is lush, romantic, exciting and fiendishly difficult like many written in the early 20th century. Not quite Rachmaninov, not quite Tchaikovsky, not yet Medtner. As I sat in the audience I could feel the excitement building as Konrad brilliantly executed this beautiful piece. The audience couldn't restrain itself and applauded after every movement. Konrad graciously acknowledged the support.  After a rousing finish, Konrad was rewarded with a standing ovation. Needless to say the audience were astonished they could buy a CD of the performance and many did. 

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