Aleksander Kudajczk @ Kinnaird Hotel

Mar 3 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ALEKSANDER Kudajczyk’s intimate performance in the drawing room of Kinnaird Hotel echoed his countryman Chopin’s preference for small concerts and private recitals.

Christening the estate's newly-delivered Baby Grand, AK’s hour-long programme delivered a tantalising snapshot of the Polish composer's work; particularly appropriate in what is the 160th anniversary of Chopin's death.

A superb performance started with an exhilarating Polonaise (A flat Major op. 53) and ended on a high with one of Chopin's masterpieces, a flawlessly executed Bacarole (op. 60).

In between, Prelude no.4 and Nocturne E flat Major op.9 no.2 were the stand-out numbers for this enthusiastic listener.

AK’s programme was certainly a rather populist take on Chopin’s back catalogue…but none the worse for that.

And with a glass of champagne, sat in front of a roaring fire, in one of the most beautiful country houses in Scotland, who could resist the ‘greatest hits’?

The biggest surprise of the evening, however, was AK’s encore. Forget Chopin, this Polish maestro's heart belongs to Rakhmaninov.

Described variously as “perfect”, “flawless”, “exquisite” and “amazing” by The Telegraph, The Independent, The Scotsman and BBC News, AK first appeared on the Scottish public’s radar in 2006 when he was “discovered” practicing on the Glasgow University Chapel piano.

Classical fans can catch him at venues in Edinburgh, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, before he jets off to Australia for a tour Down Under later this year.

AK is also set to appear in a special programme filmed for BBC Alba, along with a special appearance on Polish Breakfast Television.