The 19th century is considered the 'golden era of the piano' due to advancements in mechanics, the activity of virtuoso pianists, the development of piano works by outstanding composers, and the emergence of the solo recital, initiated by Franz Liszt.
Performer Biography
Rafał Mokrzycki, the pianist on this album, is a young Polish pianist who won the Valletta International Piano Competition in Malta in 2017.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in two locations: the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music Concert Hall in Lusławice and the Witold Lutosławski Polish Radio Concert Studio in Warsaw.
Album & Artwork
Katarzyna Michniewska, an environmental economist and ambassador for fighting global warming, supported the release of this CD due to Rafał Mokrzycki's sensitivity to environmental problems expressed through beautiful music.
Cultural Impact
The authority of Fryderyk Chopin, a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, and his many students led to the prominence of the Polish piano school.
Interpretation
In the 19th century, it was common practice for performers to freely alter musical scores, adding virtuoso elements or combining smaller pieces, a practice contrary to today's interpretive canon.
Composition History
The Chopin Competition was established in the 1920s by Aleksander Michałowski and Jerzy Żurawlew to combat the trivialization of Chopin's works and encourage young pianists to engage with his compositions.
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