The Friends of Chopin Australia are delighted to announce its inaugural annual Australian Chopin Festival to be held in Canberra and Goulburn from 28 September to 2 October.
The exciting program of events includes concerts, masterclasses, and a very special interactive live-stream tour of the Chopin Museum in Warsaw, finishing with a recital of Chopin’s music direct from the Museum’s concert space.
Australia’s involvement with Chopin’s music began as early as 1843 and he has been one of Australia’s favourite composers ever since. Join us as we add to this rich history of Chopin in Australia!
Gala Opening Concert
Ewa Pobłocka in Recital
at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra
Hear Chopin as you’ve never heard him played before, by one of the world’s great Chopinists, Ewa Pobłocka, in the salon of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, a true cultural experience – Chopin from the heart of Poland.
Masterclasses
At the ANU School of Music
Bringing the best of Chopin tuition in the world to Australia to connect pianists and music lovers directly to this magnificent tradition
While in Canberra Ewa Pobłocka, one of the foremost Chopin specialists and teachers in the world, will share her knowledge with Australian pianists and teachers in a series of Masterclasses over three days. Children, teachers, and elite young performers are encouraged to nominate to attend. Places are limited so please contact the Friends as soon as you are able if you’d like to participate. The Masterclasses will be open to public viewing also, if youd like to gain some insights into how Chopin is taught, and what is behind the music.
Special Event: Interactive Live Tour of the Chopin Museum in Warsaw with a Recital by Aleksandra Świgut
from the James Fairfax Theatre in the National Gallery of Australia
A very unique and special event for our audience. Join us in the beautiful James Fairfax Theatre in the National Gallery of Australia, as we connect live with the Chopin Museum in Warsaw, and ask questions of the guide as they show us around the wonderful exhibits and curiosities of the Chopin Museum in Warsaw. The tour will conclude in the Chopin Museum’s performance space where we will meet pianist Aleksandra Świgut who will give a performance on both modern and period pianos. Aleksandra will introduce her program and will also talk with the audience and answer questions after the concert. A very special experience not to be missed.
Grand Finale Concert
An Afternoon with Ewa Pobłocka and David Pereira in Concert
from Hume Conservatorium, Goulburn
A beautiful Sunday afternoon concert in Historic Goulburn at the Hume Conservatory with two world class musicians, Ewa Pobłocka and Canberra’s own, cellist David Pereira. A beautiful program of solo and chamber works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Kats-Chernin, and one of David’s own compositions.
The Friends of Chopin Australia is a registered charity dedicated to the promotion of the music of Chopin in Australia through performance, research and public engagement. It was established in 2012 and is honoured to have as its patron the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Australia.
The mission of the Friends of Chopin Australia is to research, document and promote the role that Chopin has played and continues to play in Australia’s musical life. It is also dedicated to supporting young and emerging artists to achieve excellence in their field on the world stage.
The Friends of Chopin Australia is responsible for the Australian International Chopin Piano Competition (AICPC) and has held three successful editions of the Competition in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, and the Australian National University and its School of Music, in 2011, 2014, and 2017.
