Canberra International Music Festival, Concert 12: "La Polonaise"

La Polonaise - A Polish Gala Concert

Lucas Krupinski, piano

Orava String Quartet

At Fitters’ Workshop, May 4, 2022

Reviewed by Tony Magee

Polish pianist Lucas Krupinski… left the audience breathless with delight, receiving thunderous applause.
Photo: Peter Hislop.

SUBTITLED “A Polish Gala Concert”,  Ambassador of the Republic of Poland Mr. Michał Kołodziejski in welcoming guests to this 12th concert in the Canberra International Music Festival, mentioned that it was a special time for Poland and Australia. 

2022 celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In addition, Poland is commemorating the 231st anniversary of the formation of its Constitution - the first in the world - conceived and written down on May 3, 1791.

In addition, Ambassador Kołodziejski welcomed the Ambassador of Ukraine, Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko, who was present in the audience, ratifying that Poland and Ukraine stand united in solidarity.

Polish pianist Lucas Krupinski is a graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw with further studies in Hannover and London. Taking out 1st prize at the 7th San Marino International Piano Competition, he has also won international competitions in Hannover, Aachen and Goerlitz. His concert schedule sees him regularly performing throughout Europe and the UK.

Krupinski’s solo piano set comprised seven of Chopin’s finest and most beloved works.

Opening with the “Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat major, Op. 61” his performance was commanding and definitive. Displaying many hallmarks of his Eastern European training, those being a cantabile tone production, high lifting of the fingers, a liquid, weight technique, the bringing out of inner voices and a slight breaking of hands, the young pianist was captivating in his performance.

Many of these qualities are more aligned with 19th century practice and missing from many of today’s pianists. It is gratifying to hear a modern young artist paying such attention to these essential, but now somewhat forgotten, foundations of quality piano artistry.

The short “Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2” is simple in construction and relatively easy to play which means easy to perform. Right? Perhaps not. My criticism is that he glossed over the fast running passages slightly. Detail was missing where every note should count, somewhat exacerbated by overuse of the sustain pedal.

Concluding with Chopin’s “Polonaise in A flat major, Op. 53”, the performance was electric and thrilling. It was real “on-the-edge-of-the-seat” stuff and brought the house down.

Lucas Krupinski established himself last night as a poet of the piano, leaving the audience breathless with delight, receiving thunderous applause and a partial standing ovation.

Brisbane-based Orava String Quartet joins pianist Lucas Krupinski. Photo: Peter Hislop.

Brisbane based Orava String Quartet are in their 8th year of performing together and have toured throughout the USA and Canada as well as Asia, the UAE and NZ. In 2018 they were selected by German recording giant Deutsche Grammophon for its historic first Australian recording release. 

Taking to the stage and joined by Krupinski at the piano, Polish brothers Daniel Kowalik on 1st violin, Karol Kowalik on cello, with David Dalseno on 2nd violin and Thomas Chawner on viola, performed the “Piano Quintet No. 1” by Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969).

Orava played with incredible passion, fire and intensity, combined with assurity and conviction. The first movement, marked “Moderato molto espressivo” began with a tentative, pianissimo opening which exploded into massive dynamics.

The “Scherzo” movement was a triple time romp, with the piano moving from an accompanying role into a forte feature, taken over by a mournful and exquisitely played viola solo. Colourful pizzicato work from the strings was also a feature.

The “Grave” was solemn but intensely rich in sound. The final “Con Passione” revealed an eerie high treble wash of sound from the violins with the viola, cello and piano offering a foreboding rumble underneath, bringing this tremendous work to a close.

Throughout the work, balance between the quartet and the piano was excellent.

Once again, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. It was an electric and enthralling evening of the finest music making.

First published in Canberra City News on-line edition, May 5, 2022