Only one day until Polish Week at the CPO begins! Our Friday and Saturday concerts, Polish Spectacular: Chopin, Górecki and Other Masters, feature world-renowned pianist Krzysztof Jablonski who performs Chopin’s Piano Concertos No. 1 (Friday, September 26) and No. 2 (Friday, September 27). Check out our Q&A with Krzysztof, where he tells us about the music he’ll perfrom, his experience as a piano teacher, and more!

The Polish Week finale concerts are on October 3 & 4 with Calgary’s own Polish Superstar, Jan Lisiecki!

 

Q: How long have you been playing the piano?

As of today, 43 years.

Q: How many years have you been instructing at the Mount Royal Conservatory, and what is your title?

In North America, people call us piano instructors. But it is much more than that. I am a full professor and have a Doctorate in Music Arts, I am professor of the F. Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, and back in 2004 I received my professor title from the Polish President as the youngest professor in Polish piano music history. I have been teaching in Calgary for many years, as an on and off kind of engagement. I have been a faculty member of the Morningside Music Bridge for many years, am teaching second year now at the Academy for Gifted Youth faculty at Mount Royal University, and have been coaching chamber music ensembles and teaching for APP – Advanced Performance Program. I also have several students in general programs.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the Polish Spectacular concerts?

To present the music of the greatest Polish Composer F. Chopin not only to Polish spectators, but also to as many Calgarians as possible.

Q: Why are you performing Chopin’s piano concertos No. 1 and 2?

As we have two evenings, we thought we will give our audience two different works each evening rather than playing the same Concerto twice.

These are not only best works for piano by F. Chopin – they are flagships of the great piano repertoire not so often played in North America.

Q: What do you hope people will experience from the concert?

I always am looking forward to touching people deeply with the message I am trying to send through the music. We live crazy lives, without much time to enjoy the moment and slow down. I want to give people something they will remember longer than only on their way home.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

I am very happy, that after so many years I will have an opportunity to refresh the collaboration with Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. This will take me back to 1992 when I won the Prize at the very first Esther Honens Competition here in Calgary, along with quite a few other memorable evenings with CPO we had during years after the competition.