Piotr Paleczny
Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Warsaw, Poland
Piotr Paleczny, one of the most outstanding Polish pianists, teacher, Belvedere professor and Honorary Professor of the FCUM (2017), laureate and juror of prestigious international piano competitions, valued musical authority, charismatic organizer of musical life, ambassador of Polish culture in the world. A graduate of the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw (currently the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music) in the class of prof. Jan Ekier. Winner of five international piano competitions: in Sofia (1968), Munich (1969), Warsaw (1970), Pleven (1971) and Bordeaux (1972). Awarded with prestigious awards and decorations: Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Gold Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis, Mexican Order of Águila Azteca, Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Rays with Ribbon, Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Golden Fryderyk Award and the Award of Cyprian Kamil Norwid in the "Life's Work" category.
The success achieved in the 8th Chopin Competition (1970, 3rd prize and award for the best performance of a polonaise) initiated the artist's international career. He has performed in the most important concert halls in Europe, Asia, both Americas and Australia (including Carnegie Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Royal Festival Hall in London, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Berliner Philharmonie, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Musikverein in Vienna). He collaborated with outstanding conductors and renowned orchestras. The pianist's extensive discography (branded by, among others, Polskie Nagrania, EMI, BBC, CD Accord, Olimpia Records, Wifon, Naxos, DUX, BeArTon, Pony Canyon) has gained recognition among music lovers and critics. He is a special promoter of Polish piano concerts: Fryderyk Chopin, Ignacy Jan Paderewski,
Since 1997, he has been teaching piano at the FCUM; his students are successful in international competitions, including: in the Chopin Competition (Takashi Yamamoto – 4th prize in the 15th Competition, Kyōhei Sorita – 2nd prize in the 15th Competition). He is also a professor at the Talent Music Academy in Brescia (Italy) and conducts master classes on all continents. He gained recognition as a juror of prestigious world piano competitions, including: in Warsaw, Paris, London, Geneva, Leeds, Prague, Moscow, Tokyo, Hamamtsu, Taipei, Cleveland, Toronto and Tel Aviv, Montreal, Los Angeles, Rio de Janerio. Since 1993, he has been the artistic director of the renowned International Chopin Festival in Duszniki-Zdrój, and since 2004 - the International Chopin Competition. Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Bydgoszcz.