The Mukams Palace of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan hosted a charity concert by world-class Polish pianist Wojciech Waleczek, who performed, to a full house, Piano Concerto No. 1 by Frederic Chopin, an outstanding representative of the Romantic school of music.
The audience greeted the pianist’s appearance on stage with applause. Wojciech Waleczek opened the concert with a journey through the compositional masterpieces of Western European musicians. Isaac Albeniz, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Liszt, Niccolo Paganini—their immortal works were performed with virtuosity in the hall, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Musicians of the State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Resul Gylyjov, joined the foreign pianist to perform the program’s crowning number—Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The light, delicately refined Chopinesque music conveyed the world of feelings of the Polish composer. The hall fell still. At moments the orchestra would pick up the pianist’s melody, and the music flowed broad and full like a river.
The audience applauded loudly, unwilling to let Wojciech Waleczek leave the stage. The pianist then performed Chopin’s Nocturne No. 2 as an encore.
Conductor Resul Gylyjov and pianist Wojciech Waleczek congratulated one another on a successful performance.
After the concert, the Polish pianist gave an interview for the readers of our newspaper:
— How do you rate the joint performance with the symphony orchestra’s musicians?
— As very professional work. In many ways this was thanks to the conductor, Resul Gylyjov, who sensitively perceived both my playing and that of the musicians.
— And what did you think of our audience?
— A wonderful audience! I played as if for each listener individually and sensed in the hall’s silence a great interest in Chopin’s music. Only a well-prepared audience can perceive music in this way.
— Is Chopin your favorite composer?
— In Poland all musicians play Chopin, so I prefer performing Liszt’s works.
— What is your favorite piece by Chopin?
— The Polonaise-Fantaisie.
— Do you plan to visit our country again with a concert?
— With great pleasure, if you invite me…
The concert was initiated by the Delegation of the European Union in Ashgabat with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.
