Joanna Takes to the Stage in Poland

I had the incredible opportunity to perform Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Prokofiev at the concert hall of the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań (Poland).

It was an unforgettable experience, both musically and personally.

During my stay, I rehearsed with a second pianist who played the orchestral reduction. Since he had performed the concerto himself, he gave me extremely helpful advice on interpretation and especially on tempo choices for each movement. Working so closely on the details helped me feel more confident and prepared.

The first orchestral rehearsal was particularly exciting — hearing all the parts come together was an amazing moment. At first, however, the orchestra’s tempo felt too slow, which made me panic briefly. Instead of letting it overwhelm me, I spoke with the conductor, and we adjusted the tempo to better match my interpretation. That experience taught me a lot about communication and collaboration in a professional setting.

Overall, performing with the orchestra was truly inspiring. The musicians were outstanding, and the entire experience was both challenging and rewarding. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend it to any student musician.

Joanna C (LVI, QEH)