Poland’s fast-rising piano star Rafał Blechacz gives a Chopin recital tonight in the Chamber Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic.

The  programme includes the Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, two Ballades, four Mazurkas of Op. 41 and three Waltzes of Op. 34.

Blechacz started studying the piano at the age of three. In 2005, at the age of 20, he won the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. Two years later he graduated from the Feliks Nowowiejski Music Academy in Bydgoszcz, where he was a student of Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń.

In recent years he has performed in some of the most prestigious venues and made several recordings for Deutsche Grammophone. The BBC Music Magazine described him as “one of the most finely honed pianists of his generation”.

In its review of his Chopin recital, the monthly’s critic wrote: “The playing itself is full of flair and charm... (and) sparkles with wit and character. With brisk tempos he conveys both serious intent and huge enjoyment, giving the music shape and driving momentum... this is a young man's view of a young man's music. Do hear him.” (mk)