Krystian Zimerman, famous Polish composer and pianist, surprised his audience tonight at the Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles by declaring his protest of US military actions by boycotting any future performances in the United States.

-The first half of the performance was professional yet unemotional

-Halfway through the concert, during intermission, an announcement was made that there will be substitution in the program, some obscure polish composer. (Some in the crowd applauded knowingly!)

-Three quarters of the way through the recital, he speaks for the first time to the crowd "They told me not to talk tonight, but..." and went on to talk about US militarism, Guantanamo, how he wanted US bases out of Poland.

-Finished by thanking those in the US for spreading democracy

-Two or three people in the audience yelled back things like "we came to see a concert!" and I think I heard someone swear as they stormed out.

-Some of the audience did leave (5% of less of audience)

-Most of the remaining 95% cheered and applauded

Good for him to be able to speak his mind, how refreshing!

MR. ZIMERMAN DID NOT QUIT THE CONCERT. HE ONLY TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND EXPRESSED HIS IDEOLOGICAL POSITION. HE CONTINUED TO PLAY, AND HIS PERFORMANCE WAS SIMPLY OUTSTANDING. I talked to some people after the show, and a man commented that very few people in the world can play a modern piece the way Mr. Zimerman does: he played beautifully!

Concert Info

Date: April 26, 2009

Time:7:30 -9:30 pm

Bach, Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 836

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. lll

Intermission

Brahms( change of program announced after intermission)

Zimerman played a 1951 or 1952 piece by a  female Polish composer, Grazyna.

Zsymanowski, Variations on a Polish Folk Theme, Op. 10

IN SPANISH (EN ESPAÑOL):

http://lacomunidad.elpais.com/zaid-anig/2009/4/28/krystian-zimerman-pide-ee-uu-se-vaya-polonia-pleno