5^th International
Ignacy Jana Paderewski Piano Competition
Bydgoszcz, 6-17 November 2001

The 5th competition in the media:

"Paderewski is in Bydgoszcz"
"Gazeta Wyborcza", November 6, 2001,

Clarence Paderewski - a close relative of Ignacy Jan was in Poland, when the remains of this great Pole and politician were brought to his motherland. It was yesterday when a relative of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, domiciled in California, came to Bydgoszcz for the first time. He will be a honorary guest of the 5th International Piano Competition which is to star today. [...] He is 93 years old. He is an architect and also a member of the Paderewski Association in San Diego. [...] The honorary guest came to Bydgoszcz accompanied by his wife and a sister at the invitation of the organizers of the competition. (mag)

Magda Piórek interviews Jerzy Maksymiuk,
"Gazeta Wyborcza", November 7, 2001

M. P.: - You are the laureate of the first Paderewski Piano Competition in 1961. What was the result of your participation in the competition in Bydgoszcz?

Jerzy Maksymiuk: Jerzy Maksymiuk: I do not like going back in my mind so much over the hills. Frankly speaking I am rather a sad man. I pretend to be joyful when in company [...] I do not like competitions and the state of nervousness they bring about. Unfortunately the competition did not result in any further offers.

M. P.: Were not you showered with proposals to play concerts?

J. M.: At that time people were not sufficiently committed. A man who won the competition should, in the first place, perform plenty of concerts. In my case there were too few of them.

M. P.: Do the laureates from Bydgoszcz play more of concerts then before?

J. M.: Frankly speaking the competition in Bydgoszcz does not promote effectively. But sill it is a very pleasant event. [...] This competition is very dear to me. Paderewski, who has written the best symphony, is its patron. To my regret, the symphony is lengthy and exacting, and thus preformed only on some occasions.

M. P.: What can be done to heighten the prestige of the event in Bydgoszcz?

J. M.: J. M.: It can be done neither by Bydgoszcz nor by the concert hall nor the orchestra. It can be done only by contestants themselves. [...] For instance, there would have to appear a new Krystian Zimerman [...] Then Bygoszcz would gain importance [...] is it possible? Sometimes in smaller centers great things come true.

Magda Piórek, "A meeting with Paderewski"
"Gazeta Wyborcza", November 19, 2001

The concert of laureates took place in the concert hall of the Pomeranian Philharmonic, which was packed. Not only did the laureates, their families and friends arrive, but also those young pianist who did managed to make it to the first stage. English was ubiquitous in the concert hall.

Magda Piórek interviews Jerzy Sulikowski,
"Gazeta Wyborcza", November 19, 2001,

Magda Piórek: Magda Piórek: Comparing with the previous years - how do you find the level of this competition?

Jerzy Sulikowski: Jerzy Sulikowski: From the very start there emerged a group of pianists, whom we considered very interesting. All the time we were optimistic. We assessed that this year competition has better contenders in comparison with the previous years. Musicians are better prepared. Previously we could talk about a few well prepared artists. Nowadays this number has grown.

M. P.: In the end only one Pole got into the final.

J. S.: It is usually the case that most participants come from the country where a competition in held [...] Getting into the second stage is deemed a success. I am very content that all representatives of the Academy of Music succeeded in achieving this goal.

M. P.: Alas the competition in Bydgoszcz is not attracting as many good pianists as we could wish for. What shall be done to heighten its prestige?

J. S.: Get down to the organization of the subsequent edition right now [...] Make potential candidates learn about the event a year in advance to give them time to get prepared. In such circumstances many good musicians from all over the world will submit their applications.

Experience had the upper hand
"Express bydgoski", November 19, 2001,

(...) On Friday night in the Pomeranian Philharmonic the verdict was given and on Sunday the laureates gave a spectacular concert. Stepán Kos from the Czech Republic turned out to be the best pianist whereas Sławomir Wilk from Gdańsk, was awarded the fourth prize in the competition for the most promising Pole. (piet.)

10 thousand dollars for Kos,
Maciej Puto - a spokesperson for the competition

It was discernible that the competition was very popular among music lovers and the media, all over Poland. [...] We were prepared to organize such a vast undertaking: we hosted 34 participants altogether and eight jurors. A lot of people extended disinterested help, among other students of the Academy of Music [...] Yet the greatest success lay in the fact, taking into account the times we live at, that we have managed to solicit so many sponsors. (kas)