🎼 Chopin & Friends Festival 2026

🌍 Celebrating Polish Musical Heritage & International Cultural Exchange

The 2026 Chopin & Friends Festival presents three exceptional events celebrating Poland’s rich musical heritage and its enduring influence on American and international culture.

Through concerts, tributes, and conversations with distinguished artists and composers, this year’s festival explores the connections between Polish and American musical traditions while continuing its mission of international artistic exchange and cultural diplomacy.

🎹 Opening Event – November 4, 2026

A Tribute to Ruth Slenczynska & The Music of Poland

Hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, the opening evening will begin with a special tribute to the late Ruth Slenczynska (1925–2026), the distinguished American pianist of Polish heritage and the last living student of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

A longtime friend of the festival, Slenczynska gave a memorable recital at the Polish diplomatic mission in New York in October 2021. This tribute will celebrate her extraordinary life, artistry, and contribution to Polish-American musical culture.

The program will include reflections by Dr. Moorman-Stahlman, one of Slenczynska’s students, archival recordings, and a performance of music by Frédéric Chopin.

The evening will continue with a special concert by the renowned Cracow Duo, featuring cellist Jan Kalinowski and pianist Marek Szlezer, visiting New York from Poland. Their program, devoted entirely to Polish composers, will showcase the richness and diversity of Poland’s musical heritage. 🇵🇱

🎷 Middle Festival Event – November 17, 2026

Sound In Common – An International Jazz Experience

At Ressona Concert Hall, the festival will welcome the Italian ensemble Sound In Common, featuring accomplished jazz musicians performing original compositions and music inspired by diverse international traditions.

Continuing the festival’s relationship with Italian cultural institutions in New York, this event also recognizes the Italian Consulate’s continued support through its Honorary Patronage. 🇮🇹

The concert celebrates the universal language of music and the festival’s commitment to bringing artists and cultures together through international collaboration.

🎼 Closing Event – December 3, 2026

Lowell Liebermann – An American Composer in Polish-American Dialogue

Hosted once again by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, the closing event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States through the music of distinguished American composer Lowell Liebermann. 🇺🇸

The program will feature three of Liebermann’s significant works for solo piano, flute and piano, and piano trio, offering a perspective on approximately 25 years of his creative development.

A special highlight of the evening will be a conversation with the composer, followed by an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and engage with him directly.

Liebermann has a meaningful history of artistic exchange with Poland. In 2014, he visited the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw as part of a Polish-American cultural initiative organized by the Maestro Foundation. This exchange also brought Polish composer Dariusz Przybylski to New York.

The 2026 festival seeks to renew that connection by presenting Liebermann’s music in the setting of the Polish Consulate. His artistic experiences in Poland and his connections to the Polish piano tradition provide a meaningful foundation for exploring the cultural relationship between Polish and American musical life.

🌍 The Festival’s Cultural Mission

The 2026 Chopin & Friends Festival brings together Polish heritage, American musical creativity, and international artistic collaboration.

From honoring Ruth Slenczynska’s remarkable legacy and welcoming leading Polish performers to presenting the music of Lowell Liebermann, this year’s programs celebrate the lasting connections between Poland and the United States.

More than a series of concerts, the festival serves as a meeting place for cultures, artists, and musical traditions.

Inspired by Frédéric Chopin’s enduring legacy, the Chopin & Friends Festival continues to promote artistic excellence, international friendship, and cultural diplomacy through the universal language of music. 🎶

🎵 Celebrating Music. Connecting Cultures. Inspiring Friendship.

HONORARY PATRONAGE