Two centuries past since the birth of Poland's greatest musical genius Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, his music filled the atmosphere at Alliance Française recently. The recital marked a tribute from Asia to the year of Chopin in India 2010 .
As the world celebrated 200 years since the birth of the child-prodigy , who blossomed in Warsaw, dazzled Europe and then the entire globe through his music, India joined hands by paying tribute with a nationwide tour across Pune, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.
Organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in collaboration with the Bangalore School of Music, music lovers saw 64-year-old Philippine-born classical pianist Adolvni Acosta recreate the magic of the greatest Romanticism era composer of his time.
Based in the U.S., Acosta began learning the piano from the age of nine and won several awards. She has evolved into a prolific contributor to western classical music with a Teacher's Diploma in Music and the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, all in Piano.
Coming to the subcontinent for the third time, the artist has travelled world over rendering numerous concerts and is renowned world over as an assertive and accomplished musician. Deeply inspired by Chopin, the expert often tries to attain the fluidity of his woks through her music.
The tribute began with the Mazurka in G-sharp Minor, Op. 33, No. 1 followed by the Mazurka in D Major, Op. 33, No. 2.
The rhythmic delight set ambience for Chopin's spell to work its magic. Acosta's effortless execution of the irregular accents and cadenced tempo of Chopin's most colourful pieces showed the artiste's versatile mastery over his works.
The Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 1 followed. Immortalised by Chopin, the Nocturne, which is also one of his most powerful and famous compositions was executed in flawless perfection .
Her deft fingers raced across the Yamaha Grand piano's keys unleashing a dazzling Impromptu in F-sharp Major, Op. 36 . Beginning with a nocturne-esque chord, the technically emotive piece had the Filipino maestro radiate her proficiency over the musical instrument.
The nineteenth-century romantic visionary's Etudes in E Major Op. 10, No. 3 and D-flat Major Op. 25, No. 8 trailed along.
While the former's emotional ornamentation left the audience nostalgic, latter charmed them with its faster jocular movement dominated by sixths. The epic works were recreated in dextrous precision. .
Since the year coincides with Robert Schumann's 200{+t}{+h} year, it was apt to have the German composer's Papillons (Butterflies) Op. 2. Set for dance waltz, the music carried the airiness of a carnival and drifted into the final piece for the evening – Variations sérieuses, Op. 54 in D Minor. Written by German virtuoso Felix Mendelssohn, the hymn-like theme was a fitting finale.
Bowing reverently to the ovation, Acosta rendered a short melodic encore bringing the accolade to Chopin's bicentennial year to a close.
