娱乐英语新闻:More Chopin for fans of the classics

BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra will usher in the New Year with the best of Polish music. Mu Qian reports.

Before the Chinese New Year, Beijing's classical music enthusiasts will have chance to celebrate two nights of Polish music, on Jan 29 and 30, at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA). One of the most renowned orchestras from Eastern Europe, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra will give two concerts under the baton of Antoni Wit.

Included in the program is the China premiere of Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko's (1819-72) symphonic poem Fairy Tale.

The orchestra will also perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1 in E Minor, with soloist Yulianna Avdeeva, first-prize winner of the 16th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition 2010.

Yulianna Avdeeva will collaborate with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Center for the Performing Arts.

Managing and artistic director of the Warsaw Philharmonic since January 2002, Wit has always given the pride of place to Polish music by both older and contemporary composers. He has presented the world premiere of works by many Polish composers including Krzysztof Penderecki and Wojciech Kilar.

Since its establishment in 1901, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra has been known for presenting Polish music, especially the works of Chopin, Grecki, and Lutoslawski, unfailingly refining its mastery of the repertoire.

Before the outbreak of World War II in 1939, a rollcall of virtuoso conductor-composers regularly performed with the orchestra, including Grieg, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff.

World War II interrupted the orchestra's activity. It lost half its members to the war, as well as its elegant building, which was rebuilt in 1955. At the opening of this new building, the orchestra was declared the National Orchestra of Poland.

Apart from performing Polish works, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra is known for playing host to the Chopin International Piano Competition, since the contest began in 1927.

Avdeeva, the first female to have taken top honors at the Chopin competition since Martha Argerich (Argentine pianist who won in 1965), will collaborate with the orchestra again after her performance at 2010's competition.

Compared to the orchestra itself, Beijing audiences are more familiar with Avdeeva, for it was only a month ago that she gave an all-Chopin recital at the NCPA to close the center's "Year of Chopin".

Winning the competition has put her in the world spotlight. Her upcoming debuts with the New York Philharmonic under Alan Gilbert in Warsaw and New York, and with the NHK Symphony Orchestra under Charles Dutoit in Tokyo, are highly anticipated.