SEASON 2Episode 4: Polonaises
Coming in June 2025!
Garrick Ohlsson and Ben Laude explore the grand Polish flair of Chopin’s Polonaises.
Featuring
Yulianna Avdeeva
1st Prize, 2010 International Chopin Competition
A pianist of fiery temperament and virtuosity, Yulianna Avdeeva is the First Prize winner of the 2010 International Chopin Piano Competition, which launched her to international fame for “consistently [leading] the field, in terms of sheer passion and musicianship, not to mention technical security,” in performances that were “full of depth and colour” (The Telegraph). In 2022 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised Avdeeva a “one-woman powerhouse of epic stature.” #YuliannasMusicalDialogues is an engaging online initiative that provides an open space for her followers and piano aficionados. Through regular informal social media posts, she opens up an online dialogue about a selected composer’s life and work, paying special attention to details of notable pieces, deconstructing the art of performance.
Alexander Gadjiev
2nd Prize, 2021 International Chopin Competition
In 2021, Alexander Gadjiev won the 1st prize at the International Piano Competition in Sydney as well as the 2nd prize of the International Chopin Competition and special prize "Krystian Zimerman Prize for the Performance of a Chopin Sonata." From 2019 to 2021, Gadjiev was a "BBC New Generation Artist," which gave him the opportunity to perform at renowned British festivals and concert halls such as Wigmore Hall, London, among others, and to collaborate with various orchestras. In this process, all his concerts were recorded and broadcasted by the BBC. At the age of 20, he won 1st prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, where he also received the "Audience Award," and at 22, 1st prize at the "World Piano Masters" in Montecarlo.
Critic’s Corner
Jed Distler on Great Recordings of
Chopin’s Polonaises
Jed Distler is a composer, pianist, music writer, and arts presenter based in New York. He is the official Gramophone blogger for the International Chopin Competition.