Behind the scenes notes. The 2nd laureates’ concert

After the grand prize-awarding gala on Tuesday at the Teatr Wielki – National Opera, that was attended by almost 2,000 people, the second concert of the laureates, held at the Warsaw Philharmonic on Wednesday, seemed like a family event in familiar surroundings.

Before Chopin’s music resounded once more, awards sponsored by private firms and persons were handed to some of the pianists. Many of them went to Piotr Alexewicz, the highest-ranked Polish participant, who won the 5th prize. There were also some prizes for pianists who did not make it to the finals – among them Mateusz Dubiel and Yehuda Prokopowicz.

Just like the day before, each laureate played a solo piece by Chopin. The evening ended with Eric Lu, the winner of the Competition, performing the Concerto in F minor, with the orchestra of the Philharmonic led by Andrzej Boreyko. There was huge applause and a standing ovation, and Eric Lu played two solo encores.

Orchestra musicians said before the performance that they were looking forward to it very much, knowing it would be relaxed and joyful, as everyone has already shed the stress of the Competition.

The foyer and corridors were less crowded, as most of the foreign audience had left Warsaw, but not all of them. Kumi Goto from Nagoya, in Japan, was wearing a lovely pink kimono, to mark the occasion. A music fan, she came for just a few days to have her share of the Competition experience.

A young couple, Anita and Janek, said they were sorry the Competition is over. ‘It was almost three weeks, but it went by so fast. We will miss the live transmissions and the media reports. It will be so quiet now without Chopin,’ Anita said. People were taking photos and selfies by the decorations bearing the Competition’s blue-and-black logo, that are still in place for the laureates’ concerts.

The Philharmonic is slowly going back to its usual looks and slower pace: the Jury’s podiums have been taken away from the balcony, the livestream and the Polish Radio and TV installations have been dismantled backstage and in the foyer. Without the giant screens, the sound consoles and the TV lights, these spaces are quiet and dormant.

But the Competition souvenir shop is still working and drew quite a crowd during the intermission.

The third and last concert of the laureates takes place today, October 23rd.

Monika Ścisłowska-Sakowicz