Return of the Piano | Piotr Pawlak | Matylda Adamus

The Bechstein grand piano, which resonated in Szczecin’s Konzerthaus at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries – precisely where the Szczecin Philharmonic building stands today – has finally returned home. This evening, for the first time since World War II, it will once again be played here, at Małopolska Street. Its keys will sing beneath the fingers of one of Poland’s most highly regarded young pianists – Piotr Pawlak – semifinalist of the 19th Chopin Competition and undisputed favorite of the competition’s audience. The pianist will perform together with Matylda Adamus – an outstanding cellist specializing in historical instruments.

This piano was manufactured in 1865 by the renowned Berlin-based Bechstein workshops. From there it traveled to a piano show room in Szczecin, and there it waited 20 more years to be finally delivered to Szczecin’s Konzerthaus, inaugurated in 1884. In 1945, when Szczecin became a Polish city, only the façade of the former Konzerthaus remained – which was ultimately demolished in 1962. The trail of the piano vanished – until recently, when it was identified and found to be housed in the Cultural Center in Dobra Nowogardzka. The instrument’s profound symbolic significance for Szczecin’s historic and musical legacy prompted the Philharmonic to undertake efforts to bring it back to Małopolska Street, so it could once again perform before the public in the very place where its musical journey began over a century ago. And so it has come to pass. During this concert, it will sound for you for the first time since returning to its home – a place that, though it now looks entirely different from the pre-war Konzerthaus, continues the deep musical traditions of our city.

Piotr Pawlak is not only one of the most versatile Polish pianists of his generation and laureate of numerous prestigious national and international competitions – he is a true Renaissance man! He seamlessly combines the modern piano with historical instruments (the Fryderyk Chopin Institute recently released his recording), analytical thinking with improvisation, and a packed concert schedule with conducting studies and doctoral research in mathematics. In an interview with Justyna Michalkiewicz-Wałoszek for Trójmiasto.pl, he said: “Mathematics allows me to perceive and analyze the complexity of compositions, to explain the meaning of musical structures – while music, in turn, lets me admire the beauty and harmony of mathematical theories. I’m also glad I always have the opportunity to work at the intersection of these disciplines – whether it’s building pianos or designing musical software.”

The audience of the XIX Chopin Competition fell in love with the artist for his enthusiasm and infectious joy in playing; critics praised his extraordinary lightness, singing tone, intellectual discipline, and originality of interpretation.