Polish pianist Piotr Paleczny, who has won acclaim in international piano competitions, played Chopin at the lower house of the Polish parliament Jan. 20.

The special performance was the latest in a succession of concerts marking 200 years since the birth of Frederic Chopin.

Paleczny performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor op. 11 together with the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antoni Wit. The concert was introduced by lower house Speaker Bronisław Komorowski, after which the orchestra played the Polish national anthem.

The concert by Paleczny, who has been a judge in the international Chopin competition, was the second special event of the Year of Chopin. The first was a concert famous Chinese pianist Lang Lang played Jan. 7 at the National Philharmonic. In conjunction with the concert, the National Frederic Chopin Institute opened an exhibition of priceless objects including manuscripts by Chopin.

Anna Kosowska-Czubaj