Music / “Australian Chopin Festival, Gala Opening Concert”, Ewa Pobłocka. At the Polish embassy, September 28. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

CULTURAL experiences rarely come as authentic as hearing one of the world’s greatest Chopinists live in concert. This gala concert was such an occasion.

Celebrating the coming together of Australia and Poland through the music of Frédéric Chopin, this concert launched the inaugural Australian Chopin Festival. Held at the Polish embassy in Yarralumla, the renowned Polish pianist Ewa Pobłocka performed an all-Chopin recital.

Pobłocka, who studied at the Music Academy in Gdansk, is the holder of top awards from piano competitions worldwide. After making her debut at 12, she has gone on to be the laureate of international piano competitions. Her recordings include almost 50 albums, and her live performances with the world’s top orchestras are countless.

Beginning with the “Polonaises, Op. 40, No. 1 and 2”, the baby grand piano was just the right size and volume for the space and the capacity audience.

Without sheet music for the whole concert, Pobłocka’s concentration of sound flowed effortlessly from her fingers to create a grand musical experience. Her melodies sounded strong and clear, and totally fitting these homeland pieces.

The “Nocturnes, No. 1 and 2”, seemed to just roll off her fingers in a smooth river of notes. Able to draw out the inner voices with profound ease, Pobłocka made them sound like a dream.

The “Impromptu in A flat Major”, with its rapid motion, completely contrasted the nocturnes, but as equally beautifully constructed, it flowed with perfection. Oh, to be able to write music this good.

Following on with the “Ballade in A flat Major, Op. 47”, it was clear that Pobłocka knows Chopin’s music inside out and has done so for some time. Her balance of dynamics, while giving every note a life of its own, was something to hear. She made every phrase distinctive. Chopin’s music came alive through her extraordinary ability and understanding of Chopin’s style and his musical philosophy.

A no-nonsense pianist, Pobłocka does not waste time between pieces or intervals. After a short one-minute break, she was back on stage to finish with mazurkas and the amazing “Polonaise in F sharp minor, Op.44.”

Chopin’s music contains so much. The sad, happy, nationalistic, dance tunes, and all, from this music lover’s view, an introspection that few other composers own. There’s a yearning and a shadow in most of his compositions. There’s also bravura and showy ideas.

He knows how to capture and hold an audience. As does Pobłocka with her knowledge and insight into this fascinating composer. This was a concert, I (and I’m sure many others) will look back on for some time. After a standing ovation, as an encore, one last short burst of musical genius.