The Rubinstein Piano Festival opens tonight in the city of Łódź with a concert of Chopin’s music performed by the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra and former Chopin competition winner, American pianist Garrick Ohlsson.
The programme of the week-long event includes concerts and recitals, masterclasses, meetings with Artur Rubinstein’s daughters Ewa and Alina, as well as the Polish premiere of a new documentary about the legendary pianist by the French director Marie-Claire Margossian.
The festival ends with a recital by the famous pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim.
Featured ensembles also include the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Silesian Quartet.
Artur Rubinstein was born in Lodz in 1887. Having settled abroad early in his life, he made his first visit to his homeland after World War Two in 1958 and subsequently visited Poland and his native town several times.
His last visit was in 1979, three years before his death. (mk)