Kalisz in Tribute to Frederic Chopin

Chopin danced mazurka here…
In Kalisz, Poland’s oldest city, Frederic Chopin stopped several times during his journeys to have some rest. The city is located on the way which the composer took while travelling abroad. And here, as well as in Szczypiorno, was the point where the Kingdom of Poland bordered with the Grand Duchy of Poznan.
Chopin would also stop in Kalisz on his way to Antonin and on other occasions as well. It is a charming city and, although it was never a destination for the composer, it always, humbly and patiently, welcomed him with pleasure and often gave him opportunity to rest and participate in interesting events.
Chopin was here six times altogether. Each of these visits is mentioned in the letters the composer wrote or in the relations of those who were so lucky to be in his company. He had many friends here, one of the closest being Dr Adam Helbich.
Whenever we talk about his visits to the oldest Polish city, we cannot miss the memorable evening party Chopin participated in. Then, two maidens hatched a cunning plan as a result of which he danced mazurka with one of them to save her from the company of an unwanted admirer.
Kalisz was also the last Polish city where Frederic Chopin stopped before he left the homeland forever in 1830. On that very night, in Dr Helbich’s house he gave a private concert in a narrow circle of listeners. The sounds of his music were the last trace he left in Kalisz and in the Kingdom of Poland.
„Our Chopin” September Festival
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin’s birthday, in September Kalisz invites to „Our Chopin” (Nasz Chopin) Festival. It will be a real treat for music lovers!
Chopin Marathon (Maraton Chopinowski) is to be a truly unique event – a day-long concert on Rynek Główny during which all chamber and solo works by Chopin, written in the years 1818-1830, will be performed. The concert will be organized in a special construction called „Chopin’s Capsule” („Kapsuła Chopina”). The compositions will interweave with performances of folk groups from the southern part of Greater Poland, Kuyavia and Mazovia, i.e. from the regions where Chopin used to stay.
The Marathon will end with a grand mazurka performed with the participation of the audience – to commemorate the mazurka which Frederic Chopin danced with the beautiful girl from Kalisz.
Moreover, two concerts will be organized within the festival called Inspirations (Inspiracje) aimed at presenting the music of Chopin’s masters whose works influenced his musical talent. But that is not all!
Moreover, in Kalisz three symphony concerts will be performed to reflect the concerts that became milestones in building the young composer’s position in the Polish and European arena. Thus, we would like to invite you to „Vienna Concert” („Koncert Wiedeński”), „Warsaw Concert” („Koncert Warszawski”) and „The Last Warsaw Concert” („Ostatni Koncert Warszawski”).
This will be a unique music tribute to this great Polish composer. It will be organized in September by the Kalisz Philharmonic (Filharmonia Kaliska). Moreover, the inhabitants of Kalisz will unveil a commemorative plaque in the place where the house in which Frederic Chopin stayed used to be located.
We do invite you to come to the oldest of Polish cities.

www.kalisz.pl