Pianist Krystian Zimerman to Vary Programs, Warns Europe’s Classical Scene Is Asleep
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman (winner of the 1975 Chopin Competition) is touring South Korea from Jan. 11–22 with six recitals. In an unusual approach, he will not announce programs in advance and plans to choose from over 60 preludes spontaneously for each performance to stay emotionally honest with audiences. His repertoire will include well-known preludes by Chopin, Schubert, Bach and Rachmaninoff as well as lesser-known composers he wishes to introduce to Korean listeners. Zimerman praised Asia’s music education — citing the strong showing of Asian pianists at recent Chopin competitions — and singled out Korea, China and Japan for producing talented young performers. He warned that classical music in Europe faces a “disastrous” decline as young audiences shrink, blaming cuts to music education and media indifference. Zimerman also recounted that the Chopin Competition was less a starting point than a coronation in his career. (Note: “Chopin Competition” = an international piano competition held in Warsaw honoring composer Frédéric Chopin)
