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Yes! I wasn't expecting that. I tuned in just in time. It sounds wonderful, even with just a string quartet. I hope they play all three movements.

Yes, they did and did and encore of the 2nd. Now I have no idea what going on?

K

My Internet stopped just after the performance finished. Then I refreshed the page and they were performing the 2nd movement again. I thought something had gone wrong and it was showing something that had already happened, so I closed it until now, but it turns out it was an encore. Now, 30 mins later, someone is playing 17/4 (now 34/3).

Thank you Kathleen for clearing up that moment of confusion, but brilliance.

OK, right now a chubby older lady is standing next to the piano in Warsaw playing a gong, a conch shell, and some singing bowls that she is using a bow on. I like it, actually, but I don't know what it has to do with HIM.

And the NewsHour is showing pictures of the snow in NY, where my daughter is now living. She and I decided we shouldn't go to Poland at this time of year because it would be too cold and snowy. HA HA HA HA. Jeff said it was sunny there. He was lucky to get out of the winter wonderland of Pennsylvania, I guess.

Elene

It's 3 in the morning - Saturday, right now. And someone is playing the most haunting and lovely music. Could they be some of Chopin's songs? I've never heard it before.

Elene: Every so often, some strange things happen there, but all in all I would give it a 1000% grade.

For those of you not on FB here is the most recent mazurka posted by Jack Gibbons. It's A flat major, Op.41 no.4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h9x5Tqz2m0

Thanks! One of my favorite of the little-known mazurkas. I've sometimes played it as an encore -- it's a little gem. It was discussed recently on another music site when someone came across it and wondered what people thought of it.

To me this mazurka seems to "speak" -- I mean as though with words, to an extent way beyond any of the other mazurkas. Not that the "text" is clear -- it's whatever your mood-of-the-moment might tell you. But whenever I hear it, or play it, I so much want to put words to it.....

One of the strangest or should I say most unusual was a gentleman playing Chopin's "Fantasie" Impromptu, Op. 66 in a tango style!

Anyone else catch that?

Big bad storm hit yesterday. Trees down, wires down, electricity out.

And all I could think of is that I was missing these concerts (oh and the women's final group of figure skating) !!!

Grrrrrrr....

Dear Mark,

It all matters! You're right, of course (see, I told you the learning wouldn't stop). I had forgotten the misattributed opus number story.

Much to post about goings on here in tropical Warsaw (tropical compared to Philadelphia, that is), but I'm late for the morning sessions. I have some photos that I'll try to post this evening when I'm back at the hotel.

Jeff Kallberg

I can't believe how our little thread about Chopin has progressed to the heights it has now reached. I remember times when I had to resort to post guessing games to keep it going. And now, we have so many amazing posters whose knowledge and experience and insight will continue to make it the best of the best of its kind on the Internet. My heartfelt gratitude to all of you.

And once again, Liszt Addict, what a gift you have provided for many of us. To be able to watch and listen to this amazing concert from the comfort of our homes is well, priceless. Does anyone know just how long it will continue? Will it go through next Monday? I found out that Warsaw is 7 hours ahead of Illinois.

How did your paper go, Dr. K? What was the reaction? Anything you care to share?

K

So a few photos of Warsaw to follow here.

First, a view yesterday morning (foggy) of the Holy Cross Church, where (of course) FC's heart lies:



Jeff Kallberg

Next, the old library building at the University of Warsaw, where our congress is taking place. You-know-who featured prominently on the facade:



Jeff Kallberg

Finally, a poster for a nice little exhibit at the Congress, "Traces of Chopin at the University of Warsaw". Many such small events around town:



My paper went well; thanks for asking. I'll do a separate post on the congress at some point, but now off to tonight's concert (concertos played by Demidenko and Kissin), and thence to a late (but undoubtedly great) dinner, with some splendid smalec to start.

Jeff Kallberg

Yes indeed.

Dear Jeff K, I can't thank you enough for sharing these superb photographs with us. It brings a real taste of Poland to the 'Devoted' thread.

Jeff, thanks for the pictures!

You asked where the marathon concert was-- it is taking place at the headquarters of Wspólnota Polska. The address is Krakowskie Przedmiescie 64, and there is a map on the site. The home page is http://najdluzszeurodziny.pl/.

They just finished a performance of the cello sonata. Last night (my time) someone performed a string of mazurkas, wonderfully, then broke into a highly competent and interesting jazz version of one of them (I can't remember which). Then he did two completely different, very involved, jazz improvisations on the Fantaisie-Impromptu, which didn't work quite as well but were still worthwhile, wrapping up with part of the mazurka again and tying it all together. There have been some awesome jazz folks.

I need to practice....

Elene

I listened to the piano tuner while doing my yoga this morning.

Among the professionals, who do you think is the best Chopin interpreter? I'd like to buy some MP3's to add to my classical music collection.

Krystian Zimerman, Yundi Li are the first two that comes to my mind. But can never go wrong with Horowitz, Barenboim, Rubenstien.

btw, Thanks for the comment on youtube =)

Dinu Lipatti for the waltzes