Latest news with #2025VanCliburnCompetition
Kuwait Times
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
‘Musical cocoon': Polish mountain town hosts Chopin fest
A few hundred people gather in front of a large white tent in the peaceful spa town of Duszniki-Zdroj, nestled on the Polish-Czech border. Inside, the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing to open the 80th edition of the International Chopin Piano Festival. 'I've loved Chopin for so many years!' said Erin Gao, a 33-year-old from China, who travelled to hear the composer's works while vacationing in Europe. Mike Righton, a 73-year-old from Texas, shared that enthusiasm. 'This is my fifth year here. I love this festival - there are lots of concerts, and the place is very pretty,' he said. Organizers expect around 2,000 spectators over the nine-day event that runs until August 9 in this town of just 4,000 residents, where Frederic Chopin's legacy is visible everywhere. 'Above all, this festival brings together true enthusiasts of Chopin's music,' said Piotr Paleczny, the festival's artistic director. People looks on the Frederic Chopin monument during the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival. Piotr Paleczny, the artistic director of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival sits next to the piano in hotel in Duszniki Zdroj, southwestern Poland. Flowers and wreaths are seen laid in front of Frederic Chopin breastplate monument on the opening day of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival in Duszniki Zdrój, southwestern Poland.--AFP photos Piotr Paleczny (center), the artistic director of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival, waits among other guest in the audience for the opening concert to begin. People in the park outside the concert tent listen to the music and watch the live broadcast on a giant screen. People in the park outside the concert tent listen to the music and watch the live broadcast on a giant screen. People in the park outside the concert tent listen to the music and watch the live broadcast on a giant screen. Julia Lozowska, 23, Warsaw-born pianist, plays piano during her concert on the second day of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival. Aristo Sham, 29, from Honk Kong, winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn Competition, rehearses before his concert on the second day of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival. The souvenirs with Chopin motives are displayed on a stall on the second day of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival. The chairs are arranged to welcome the audience under a portrait of Frederic Chopin in the concert hall of the so-called Chopin Manor on the second day of the 80th Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival. Streets are adorned with posters and statues of the composer and shops welcome tourists with souvenirs bearing his image. It was here in 1826, when the town was part of Germany and known as Bad Reinerz, where a 16-year-old Chopin gave his first concert abroad. That performance inspired the creation of the festival, which has attracted many of classical music's biggest names since its founding in 1946. One of this year's performers is Warsaw-born pianist Julia Lozowska, 23. 'I grew up with Chopin. I love many other composers, of course, but he's the one I understand best,' she said. Among the festival's headliners is Aristo Sham, 29, a prodigy from Hong Kong and winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn Competition. He is launching his world tour in Duszniki-Zdroj. 'To play in the same venue as him, to follow in his footsteps - it's a huge honour and privilege,' Sham said after a rehearsal, his eyes resting on a bust of Chopin. 'Here, we're in a musical cocoon, just playing music in an enchanting setting for an incredibly enthusiastic audience.' — AFP
Express Tribune
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Polish mountain hosts Chopin fest
A few hundred people gather in front of a large white tent in the peaceful spa town of Duszniki-Zdroj, nestled on the Polish-Czech border. Inside, the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing to open the 80th edition of the International Chopin Piano Festival. "I've loved Chopin for so many years!" said Erin Gao, a 33-year-old from China, who travelled to hear the composer's works while vacationing in Europe. Mike Righton, a 73-year-old from Texas, shared that enthusiasm. "This is my fifth year here. I love this festival - there are lots of concerts, and the place is very pretty," he said. Organisers expect around 2,000 spectators over the nine-day event that runs until August 9 in this town of just 4,000 residents, where Frederic Chopin's legacy is visible everywhere. "Above all, this festival brings together true enthusiasts of Chopin's music," said Piotr Paleczny, the festival's artistic director. Streets are adorned with posters and statues of the composer and shops welcome tourists with souvenirs bearing his image. It was here in 1826, when the town was part of Germany and known as Bad Reinerz, where a 16-year-old Chopin gave his first concert abroad. That performance inspired the creation of the festival, which has attracted many of classical music's biggest names since its founding in 1946. One of this year's performers is Warsaw-born pianist Julia Lozowska, 23. "I grew up with Chopin. I love many other composers, of course, but he's the one I understand best," she said. Among the festival's headliners is Aristo Sham, 29, a prodigy from Hong Kong and winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn Competition. He is launching his world tour in Duszniki-Zdroj. "To play in the same venue as him, to follow in his footsteps - it's a huge honour and privilege," Sham said after a rehearsal, his eyes resting on a bust of Chopin. "Here, we're in a musical cocoon, just playing music in an enchanting setting for an incredibly enthusiastic audience."
