Jakob Landry
(Mounds View, MN)

from None, performing Polonaise in A-flat Major, op. 53 composed by Frédéric Chopin.

Artistic Statement

I chose to submit a recording of the Polonaise op. 53 by Chopin because it is a very special piece to me. I consider it a milestone of my achievements as a pianist because it was truly the first actual piece of music that I spent considerable time learning. Before this piece I dabbled in "easy" pieces by Beethoven, and never spent a very long time on any one piece (i.e. I never spent any time considering the musical aspects). After I listened to Polonaise op. 53 on YouTube (after accidentally stumbling across it), I said to myself "I've got to learn this," and defying every piano guru on the internet by learning an extremely difficult piece of music right from the beginning, I did. It took me a while, but I did nonetheless. This piece has been one of my "standard" pieces to play throughout the years. It was the first piece I played for my teacher, Lydia Artymiw, and I must say I enjoy it far more every time I play it. I hope that sharing this story has explained a little why I chose this piece, and why it will always be my piece of choice to play whenever I need to.

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