His interpretations divide audiences – some are delighted, others outraged. The former praise his visionary and poetic approach, while the latter accuse him of distorting piano sounds. Ivo Pogorelić treads his own artistic path and breaks down standards, leaving no-one indifferent. One of the most original pianists working today performs on 9 June at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. The recital by the Croatian artists culminates the series of concerts World of Great Music and forms a part of the ICE Classic cycle.

His career has been marked by controversies from the very beginning. His unusual interpretations of Chopin’s works, refusal to follow conventions and passionate style of performance made him the audience favourite during the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1980, although he was eliminated after the third round. Still, the defeat and somewhat scandalous atmosphere brought him worldwide acclaim and a highly successful career, kicking off with a debut at Carnegie Hall and phenomenal recordings of Piano Concerto in F minor under the baton of Claudio Abbado and Scherzo in C sharp minor – a real Presto con fuoco! – for Deutsche Grammophon.

After several decades of performing at the world’s finest concert stages, Pogorelić still evokes extreme emotions, from standing ovations to being panned by critics. Make sure you don’t miss his concert at ICE Kraków – you will hear the expert of eccentric performances of the finest piano works interpreting Chopin’s Ballade in F major Op. 38 No. 2 and Scherzo in C sharp minor Op. 39 No. 3, Schumann’s Vienna Carnival, Mozart’s Fantasia in C minor and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor. Make up your own minds! (Barbara Skowrońska)

Ivo Pogorelić – piano

Fryderyk Chopin Ballade in F major Op. 38 No. 2, Scherzo in C sharp minor Op. 39 No. 3
Robert Schumann Vienna Carnival Op. 26
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Fantasia in C minor KV 475
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 36