Employees

prof.

Piotr Paleczny

piano

One of the most outstanding Polish pianists, a pedagogue, full professor, and Honorary Professor of the Chopin University of Music (2017); a laureate and juror of prestigious international piano competitions, a respected musical authority, charismatic organizer of musical life, and ambassador of Polish culture worldwide. A graduate of the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw (now the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music) in the class of Professor Jan Ekier. Laureate of five international piano competitions: in Sofia (1968), Munich (1969), Warsaw (1970), Pleven (1971), and Bordeaux (1972). Recipient of numerous distinguished awards and honors, including the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Medal “Merit for Culture – Gloria Artis,” the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, the Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Golden Fryderyk, and the Cyprian Kamil Norwid Award in the “Lifetime Achievement” category.

The success achieved at the 8th International Chopin Piano Competition (1970, Third Prize and the award for the best performance of a polonaise) launched the artist’s international career. He performed in the most prestigious concert halls of Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia (including Carnegie Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Royal Festival Hall in London, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, the Berlin Philharmonie, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Musikverein in Vienna). He collaborated with eminent conductors and renowned orchestras. His extensive discography (released by labels such as Polskie Nagrania, EMI, BBC, CD Accord, Olympia Records, Wifon, Naxos, DUX, BeArTon, Pony Canyon) has been praised by audiences and critics alike. He is a dedicated promoter of Polish piano concertos by Fryderyk Chopin, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Karol Szymanowski, and Witold Lutosławski.

Since 1997 he has taught piano at the Chopin University of Music, where his students have achieved success in international competitions, including the Chopin Competition (Takashi Yamamoto – 4th Prize at the 15th Competition, 2005; Kyōhei Sorita – 2nd Prize at the 18th Competition, 2021). He is also a professor at the Talent Music Academy in Brescia (Italy) and conducts masterclasses on all continents. He has earned recognition as a juror of prestigious global piano competitions, including in Warsaw, Paris, London, Geneva, Leeds, Prague, Moscow, Tokyo, Hamamatsu, Taipei, Cleveland, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Montreal, Los Angeles, and Rio de Janeiro. Since 1993 he has served as the artistic director of the renowned International Chopin Festival in Duszniki-Zdrój, and since 2004 also of the Ignacy Jan Paderewski International Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz. In life and on stage, he upholds the highest and most noble values.