Ewa Pobłocka, Polish pianist, in Canberra for recital and jury duties

by Tony Magee

The great Polish pianist Ewa Pobłocka is in Canberra during September 2017, as a jury member for the 3rd Australian International Chopin Piano Competition. I am in Warsaw at the same time, attending the Chopin and His Europe festival, which is run by her husband, Stanislaw Leszczynski. Whilst in Australia, Miss Pobłocka avails herself of my Bechstein concert grand at my house, in order to get some practice in before her recital at Llewellyn Hall on September 10.

This short biography courtesy of The Chopin Society of Atlanta:

One of the greatest pianists of her generation, Ewa Pobłocka has performed throughout Europe and in both Americas, as well as in Singapore, Korea, Japan and Australia, giving concerts with the most famous orchestras in major concert halls. 

She has repeatedly toured European countries as a Warsaw Philharmonic soloist under the baton of Kazimierz Kord and Antoni Wit. She is a versatile pianist boasting a vast repertoire, giving recitals, orchestral and chamber music concerts, willingly accompanying singers. 

She has given numerous first performances and world premiere recordings of works by Polish contemporary composers, including Andrzej Panufnik’s Piano Concerto (the first Polish performance and the premiere recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer), Witold Lutosławski’s Piano Concerto (the first Polish recording, with the Great Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio under the composer’s baton), Paweł Szymański’s Piano Concerto (dedicated to Ewa Pobłocka, commissioned by Radio France, whose first performance was at the Présences Festival in Paris), and Paweł Mykietyn’s Piano Concerto (also dedicated to the pianist).

Ms. Pobłocka performs for many European radio broadcasters. She has also made more than 40 records under such labels as Deutsche Grammophon, Conifer Records, Victor JVC, and CD Accord, many of which earned awards and were enthusiastically acclaimed by critics. Her most recent CD albums include Edward Grieg’s complete piano works and Johannes Brahms’ solo compositions. Forthcoming releases will feature pieces by Robert Schumann, Fryderyk Chopin’s complete songs, and a Chopin recital on a historic Pleyelpiano of 1848.

Ms. Pobłocka is also a distinguished music educator. She teaches a piano class at the Music Academy in Bydgoszcz and the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. She is also a guest professor at the music universities in Nagoya (Japan) and Calgary (Canada). She serves on the jury of many international piano competitions.

The artist has received the annual Minister of Culture Award, the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta from the Polish President (2004), and the presidential title of professor (2007).

Copyright © 2002-2014 Chopin Society of Atlanta

Read Clinton White's review for City News Digital Edition here.