Chopin Festival in London

The Chopin Festival, which takes place over the weekend of the 15th/16th October 2022 at the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (POSK) in Hammersmith, west London is a celebration of Poland's unique musical genius, Frederick Chopin. All music performed at the Festival will be by the maestro, with audiences enjoying well-loved traditional performances by some truly exceptional musicians, as well as inspired new arrangements and interpretations of the classics. A variety of Chopin-inspired events (for both children and adults) will accompany the musical festivities.

The musical journey begins on Saturday, 15th October, when the 300 capacity POSK theatre will stage a Gala Concert starring the leading pianist and International Chopin Competition Laureate Janusz Olejniczak, and guitarist, Adam Palma playing unique arrangements from his album, Adam Palma meets Chopin. A selection of Chopin songs will be sung by Ewa Majcherczyk (soprano) and Marcin Gesla (baritone) accompanied by Ewa Osińska on piano. The Gala concert will begin with Artur Haftman playing the Romanza from Chopin's Piano Concerto no.1 in E minor Op.11.

After the Gala Concert, the POSK Jazz Club will host Chopin Jazz, where Alle Choir London, John Donegan on piano and Stephen Ellery on saxophone will play inspired jazz arrangements of treasured classics.

On the afternoon of Sunday 16 October, POSK theatre will present the 'Łaźienki' concert, featuring the star Chopin Competition finalist Kamil Pacholec and the outstanding pianist John Paul Ekins with dance artist, Natalia Meksa accompanying him on some of the compositions. Their performances will be complemented by a truly special collaboration between the renowned harpist, Alina Bzhezhinska and flutist, Margaret Preston with their special guest mezzo-soprano Rozanna Madylus.

As well as musical performances, the festival will feature other Chopin inspired events, including:

A Chopin portrait competition for schoolchildren jointly organised by the renowned portrait artist Barbara Kaczmarowska-Hamilton, the Polish Saturday Schools Association and The Didactics Unit of the Polish University Abroad. 218 portraits have been submitted.

The Film: 'Chopin: Desire for Love' directed by Jerzy Antczak and starring Piotr Adamczyk and Danuta Stenka will be screened in the POSK Theatre at 6pm on Sunday 16th October

An essay on Chopin specially written for the festival by the eminent historian, Professor Norman Davies will be published in the festival programme.

A Chopin exhibition at the POSK gallery jointly organised by the Polish Library in POSK with the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw.

For tickets, see: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-relief-society-for-poles-trust-amp-posk-29093419267

The Polish Social and Cultural Association is based at 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF.

The Chopin Festival is a joint collaboration between The Relief Society For Poles Trust (Charity No. 327128) & The Polish Social & Cultural Centre POSK (Charity No 236745), and is produced by Janusz Sikora-Sikorski KC*SG