CHOPIN: A BRIDGE BETWEEN POLAND AND SINGAPORE

Music is one of the best paths of diplomacy between nations from totally different cultures. One readily thinks of Isaac Stern's late 1970s visit to the People's Republic of China and the movie From Mao to Mozart that came out from that historic trip. Much closer to home is the recent recital tour of American-Chinese pianist Eric Lu, the latest first prizewinner of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. With his recital on Wednesday, he delivered the music of  Chopin in wonderful performances to Singapore.

Chopin is the reason why this special event on Thursday 4 December 2025 at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory was held, organised by the Embassy of Poland in Singapore, the Chopin Society of Singapore, the Conservatory, with a special appearance of Eric Lu and members of Poland's National Institute Fryderyk Chopin (NIFC). The universality of music - encapsulated by the music of Chopin - was perhaps the best way of bringing the nations of Poland and Singapore together. Here are the photos from that marvelous soiree. 

   

The impressive foyer of the Conservatory
was a perfect setting for the event.

Polish Ambassador to Singapore
Tadeusz Chomicky addresses the audience.

Recent National Piano Competition
finalist Goh Kai Cheng performs
Chopin's Variations on La Ci Darem Op.2

Eric Lu watches himself perform.

NIFC Director Artur Sklener
hails the universality of Chopin's music.

Ambassador Chomicky recounts his
first experience of Chopin about 60 years ago.

Eric Lu relates his personal challenge of 
entering the Chopin Competition for a second time.

YST Dean Peter Tornquist says how the University
can further support such future cultural activities. 

It was time for Eric Lu to perform.
First, the Largo from Chopin's Third Sonata.

The first movement from the Second Sonata.

People watching at the Reception

National Piano Competition winner
Toby Tan among the Poles.
Could he be playing in Warsaw in 2030?

Lianhe Zaobao's Zhang Heyang
with Dean Tornquist & Eric Lu.

Goh Kai Cheng with his piano teacher
from childhood Lee Pei Ming.

Eric Lu meets with flautist Rit Xu,
pouting pianist Li Churen and
Jimmy Qi of Altenburg Arts.

Pianists all: Evelyn Handrisanto, 
Josephine, April & Nicholas Ong

The cello lovers table:
Tang Jia, Mrs Qin, Luna Yang & Layla Pi.

Ambassador Chomicki with
Evelyn, Josephine & Zhou Yun

Kwok Kian Chow, Francis Liew
with Toby Tan's parents, Hery and Evan.

Agnieszka Kovalczyk from the Polish embassy
will be plotting my first trip to Poland,
preferably in October 2030!