WHO DOESN’T LOVE CHOPIN’S NOCTURNES?

In April 2023, I spent a month living in Warsaw, Poland, with the aim of immersing myself in the world of Chopin. I wanted to experience the city where Chopin lived, see what he saw, and gain a deeper understanding of him as a composer, pianist, and human being. Alongside this, I sought to better understand Polish culture, hear the language, and connect with the history that shaped his music.

During this time, I studied all of Chopin’s nocturnes, one each day. More than just learning the pieces, I wanted to capture the entire process I go through as a pianist — from the initial study of new repertoire, to the performance on stage, and finally, to the release of a CD. These stages take time, and I wanted to share that journey with my audience. I wanted to engage my audience in a more personal way, which is why I created a podcast to document my experiences. I performed try-outs in people’s living rooms, drawing inspiration from Chopin himself, who only performed 30 public concerts during his life and preferred intimate settings. By involving the audience in this way, I hoped they could learn alongside me and become part of this story.

The podcast, Musing with Marie, later won the Belgian Podcast Award 2024 for Best Independent Story. Following this, I toured with over 50 recitals of the nocturnes. In November 2024, I recorded all 21 nocturnes, and the CD will be released in May 2025.

BREAKING THE SPELL AROUND CLASSICAL MUSIC

Since December 2017 Julian Cochran Foundation has been changing the perception of classical music by thinking outside-the-box. Foundation innovates at the border of business, art and technology. The weekly concerts at the Hala Koszyki in Warsaw, which the foundation has held for over 5 years, break stereotypes and prove that classical music can accompany anyone, anytime, anywhere. The foundation supports, promotes, and helps young artists, holds events for children and adults and the world's first online piano competition (created in 2014). JCF TEAM is a creative group of young people for whom classical music is an important part of life. They are constantly looking for new, inspiring ideas and improving the quality of musical experiences. 

Fazioli is known for crafting some of the world's most exquisite pianos, and their partnership with this project promises to deliver a breathtaking musical experience. Fazioli Pianos has been producing grand and concert grand pianos since 1981, when the company was founded by the engineer and pianist Paolo Fazioli. Passion for music, great artisanship, continuous technological research and strict material selection: these are the elements required for building a Fazioli piano. FAZIOLI refuses any industrial approach to manufacturing and pursues the objective of uncompromised quality. The factory is located in Sacile, in the Province of Pordenone (60 km Northeast of Venice) in an area boasting an ancient and prestigious tradition in the art of woodworking.