Concert Pianist Daniel Wnukowski

Press Reviews

Press | Reviews

Pianist Approves Predecessor's Choice - Plays All Five Beethoven Concerti
February 7, 2012
San Diego Jewish World
By E. Wingard

" On Tuesday evening, the sublime music box theme in the Emperor Concerto’s first movement was delicately accompanied to allow the soloist to evoke its magic. The pianist performed with power and security. His rippling runs contrasted with tender passages and massive chords to convey Beethoven’s creative spirit. "
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The Art of Daniel Wnukowski
February 5, 2011
West East Toronto Newspaper
By H. Klukach

" I was immediately drawn into the magnificence of this performers mastery of his instrument. Technically he was flawless, but it was the love and passion in his playing that captivated. Moving into Szymanowski's Masks,Op.34, Wnukowski again showed his technical mastery and versatility of music that was bolder and less lyrical. "
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Wnukowski Painted an Evocative Sound Fresco
November 8, 2010
Teatroteatro.it - Ancona, Italy
By G.P. Grattarola

" Having already launched several major Chopin festivals around the world, Wnukowski arrived in the Doric capital to take his large audience on a fascinating journey into the repertoire of the great Polish composer.[...] His piano playing manages to bring to light the infinite riches hidden in the score while leaving the aesthetic content unchanged, maintaining the spirit and mood of the compositions he is performing.
As the harmonic textures evolved, priceless moments of intense lyricism dazzled the audience with a naturalness for breathing, clean sound, and utter magic. Timeless moments, or rather, moments where time seemed to stop in stunned contemplation were an integral part of this unforgettable romantic evening. " (Original Language: Italian)

" Anche quest'anno la stagione concertistica allestita dagli Amici della Musica di Ancona G. Michelli ha un cartellone di rilievo e vanta ospitalità di lusso. E ne ha fornito un primo assaggio fin dalle battute iniziali, portando sul palco del Teatro delle Muse un giovane ma autorevole esponente del pianismo internazionale. Daniel Wnukowski, classe 1981, ha già al suo attivo un pregevole curriculum di interpretazioni eseguite nelle più prestigiose sale europee e americane.
Dopo aver inaugurato diversi importanti festival Chopin in tutto il mondo, giunge nel capoluogo dorico per condurre il numeroso pubblico presente in un suggestivo viaggio nel repertorio del grande musicista polacco. E la platea non può fare a meno d’inebriarsi, dinanzi all'intenso spessore evocativo e alla mirabile pulizia del suono. Il suo è un pianismo che, pur lasciando immutati i contenuti estetici, riesce a portare in luce le infinite ricchezze celate nelle partiture, lo spirito e gli umori delle composizioni eseguite.
Impeccabilmente assecondato dall'accompagnamento dell'Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana - interprete tra l'altro del gradevole poemetto musicale Pelléas et Mélisande di Gabriel Fauré - Daniel Wnukowski si è immerso dapprima nel Concerto n.1 in Mi minore Op. 11, quindi ne l'Andante Spianato e Grande Polacca brillante in Mi bemolle maggiore Op. 22 entrambe di Chopin. Il suo avvolgente estro creativo ha disegnando un affresco di altissimo valore musicale ed emotivo, dove le tonalità vengono disposte con cura in tutta la loro malinconica, tragica potenza.
A mano a mano che la tessitura armonica si espandeva, impagabili momenti di intenso lirismo si sono aperti continuamente come specchi d’acqua limpida, abbacinando il pubblico per la naturalezza del respiro, la pulizia del suono, la sonorità sospesa e magica. Momenti senza tempo, o meglio momenti in cui il tempo è parso arrestarsi nella contemplazione stupefatta di un'indimenticabile serata romantica. Applausi convinti e prolungati anche per Romolo Gessi, che ha sfoggiato una bacchetta disinvolta negli empiti più accesi e morbida nelle atmosfere di più riposata bellezza."
Source
With Heart in Hand
August 13, 2010
Warsaw - Mundoclasico "Critical" Poland
By B. Maruxa

" Wnukowski did a great piano accompaniment...he did some precious things like bringing out the 'love and life' of women in the fifth lied [of Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben Song Cycle], by bringing out the wedding march passage and in the final song, 'Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan', where he helped Kurzak much to leave us with a desolate soul. " (Original Language: Spanish)

"Wnukowski hizo un gran acompañamiento...Hizo algunas cosas preciosas, como en Amor y vida de mujer, en el quinto lied, el paso de la escena con las amigas a la marcha nupcial, y sobre todo el lied final, ‘Ahora me has causado el primer dolor’, donde contribuyó tanto como Kurzak a dejarnos con el alma desolada."
Source
Extraordinary Chopin
June 21, 2010
Spoleto - Cultura e Spettacoli
By F. Calvani

" Daniel Wnukowski was the undisputed star of the evening...a Chopin live and refined, elegant with impeccable virtuosity, blending in a faithful interpretation lavishly praised by its narrator. " (Original Language: Italian)

"Un San Simone gremito assiste, attonito, ad una memorabile esecuzione del repertorio chopeniano. Daniel Wnukowski è il protagonista indiscusso di questa serata temporalmente instabile ma "passivamente" ricettiva di un talentuoso estro esecutivo, vivacemente sintetizzato da questo straordinario pianista canadese. Uno Chopin vivo e raffinato, virtuosisticamente elegante ed ineccepibile, si amalgama in una fedele aneddotistica chopeniana riccamente declamata da una voce recitante. Si ha ragione di credere che questo omaggio a l'artista polacco semplifichi e valorizzi quella voluminosa letteratura ad oggi baricentro culturale di un mondo chopeniano ancora in cerca di verità definite. Si ripete nuovamente l'abile direzione artistica di un Festival che si attendeva con ansia. "
Source
In Tokyo, A Monument to Frederic Chopin
May 22, 2010
Polish Radio Information Agency

"[Daniel Wnukowski] admitted that he grew up in a home which continuously played traditional Polish songs and dances including the mazurka, kujawiak and oberek which greatly helped him in understanding the music of Chopin. This concert which commemorated the unveiling of Frederick Chopin's monument was enthusiastically received by a packed concert hall."
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Wnukowski's Return a Poignant Celebration
by Ted Shaw - May 4, 2010
Windsor Star

" His playing, as always, was elegant and free of wasteful gestures. Each note of the rapturous second movement, the Larghetto, had shape and expressiveness. The notes seemed to fall from the sky, like a gentle spring rain.

After the restless opening movement and the meditative second, the third opens in a playful mood. Its dance-like themes were inspired by Polish folk music, and the movement is dotted with a series of dialogues between the piano and various solo instruments. "
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Chopin in Autumn Colors
by Adam Czopek - September 23, 2009
Nasz Dziennik

"Wnukowski performed the Chopin Concerto with great passion and with a thorough understanding of Chopin's compositional language. This was coupled together with a beautiful sound and the appropriate use of dynamics."
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A Community of Musicians
by Sharon Heilbrunn - December 29, 2008
San Diego Union Tribune

"Amos makes it a priority to bring in guest performers from all over the world. Last month, Canadian piano soloist Daniel Wnukowski practiced with the orchestra for a November concert.

“He was so enthusiastic,” said Alpine resident Linda Wheeler, a cellist. “He knew exactly what he wanted from us. We learned a lot.”
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"He came into his own in the enormously variegated 24 Preludes op.28 by Chopin, where he displayed not only his affinity with the style..."