Chopin in Britain, 1848

Fryderyk Chopin’s connection with Britain is one of the least explored aspects of his career. Yet he spent eight months there – longer than in any other country, save Poland and France. Why was he there, whom did he meet, and what did he play?

These are among the questions that form the basis of Alan Walker’s presentation, in which he also attempts to provide some of the answers.

The text of the lecture is drawn from a chapter in Dr. Walker’s recent biography of Chopin titled “Twilight in Britain, 1848”. It is illustrated with more than fifty images and contains performances by Arthur Rubinstein, Murray Perahia, and Valerie Tryon of pieces that Chopin is known to have played during his long sojourn in England and Scotland.

Many thanks to William Wright for providing a photograph of Lord James Sandilands Torphichen, one of Chopin’s hosts in Scotland.

Music in this video
Study in A-flat major, op. 25 no. 1 and Study in F minor, op. 25 no. 2
Artist: Valerie Tryon
Licensed by CBC Musica Viva (MV 1001)

Видео Chopin in Britain, 1848 канала Alan Walker