Beata Szalwinska is a Polish pianist graduated from Fryderyk Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw. As a French Government stipendiary she also studied at the Ecole Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot in Paris. In the last year of her studies she won a competition for the best performance of a piano concerto where the award was her debut in the National Philharmonic in Warsaw where she played the Symphony no. 4 of Karol Szymanowski. After the performance, the music critic Krzysztof Baculewski wrote in the music journal “Ruch Muzyczny”:

 

 “…already during the first notes, the soloist played intrigued with a romantic phrase sounding almost Chopin-like; she enchanted the audience with her colorful interpretation. The performing concept seemed to follow the classical form, inspirited however with sudden articulation motifs, attractive phrasing and, broadly speaking, with a different, fresh approach. Beyond any doubt, Beata Szalwinska is an extremely talented pianist which was confirmed by the standing ovation after the performance of the Symphony…”

 

She is a laureate and a finalist of many prestigious classical music competitions including the first prize in the “11e Tournoi International de Musique” in Tamines, Belgium. The artist has toured all over Europe, taking part in festivals and premiere concerts. She has also recorded several albums for radio and television. Beata Szalwinska took part in numerous international piano events and festivals, such as, in Luxembourg “De Klenge Maarnicher Festival” (with “Kammerorchester Tübingen” conducted by Gudni Emilson) and the concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Ettelbruck Philharmonic Orchestra, where, in the presence of the Grand Duke and the Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg, she performed “Rhapsody in Blue” of George Gershwin.

 

Beata Szalwinska continues to tour as a soloist, a chamber musician and a pedagogue; for many years she cooperated with Prof. Ryszard Karczykowski. She is also founder of “Aconcagua Quintet”, which performs at the Philharmonie Luxembourg. The first album of the band was acclaimed the album of the month by Classicmania in Luxembourg. The quintet has also performed for the Polish audience at the concerts in the Grand Theatre in Warsaw and in the concert hall of the Radziejowice Palace.

 

In 2010, the artist accompanied “Soledad” quintet at a joined concert and also represented Luxembourg at the Grande Region Festival for performances in Luxembourg, France, Germany and Finland with a production called “Life”, commissioned by the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg. The choreographer for this production was the world-famous dancer and choreographer Anu Sistonen. Then, Beata Szalwinska and Anu Sistonen prepared another production together, entitled “Two Alone”, in which the pianist performs 9 Preludes op. 1 by Karol Szymanowski, with the premiere in Luxembourg in June 2012. 

 

The year 2012 had begun with the release of the second album with the world premiere of the new version of the “Aconcagua Concerto” by Astor Piazzolla, for piano solo and sextet. The project is the result of the cooperation between “Aconcagua Quintet” and the new “Kinneksbond Concert Hall” in Mamer, Luxembourg. This album, including also other works interpreted in duet with Gilberto Pereyra, was very well welcomed by both public and professional critics as shown by the critics of the weekly magazine “Jeudi”; “the sensual play and the big sensibility of the pianist Beata Szalwinska cause enormous sensations which cross you throughout.”

 

The same year, Beata Szalwinska is Ambassadress of the foundation “Music for Life” and she takes out a single with her composition “No Words”, which knew a great success. 

 

In February 2014, the music and dance performance “Flood”, with the third sonata in B minor of Frédéric Chopin, fruit of a cooperation with Anu Sistonen, was highly appreciated to such a point that Marie-Laure Rolland wrote that “the interpretation of this sonata by Beata Szalwinska is of a remarkable virtuosity”.

 

Since 2015, Beata Szalwinska plays in duet with Alexander Anisimov, a world famous bas. In November 2015, an Australian record company, “Record Drums”, is going to edit a CD, including “No Words” and “Dany Boy” with transcription for piano solo by Frédéric Meinders. She also registers a new CD for the benefit of “Médecins du Monde – Luxembourg”, including “Dany Boy” and “Over the Rainbow”.

 

Projects for 2016 : two new records are going to go out, edited by Art Connection Poland; “World of Astor Piazzolla by Beata Szalwinska” as well as a CD with new transcriptions for piano of the most beautiful American songs.