Musical inauguration of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 - concert performed by the Polish Radio Orchestra and a pianist from International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein

The solemn concert inaugurating the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Poland took place on September 11, 2019 at the Polish Radio Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio. The event was attended by the representatives of the institutions involved in the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in Poland and the Donor States, as well as lucky holders of the invitations possible to win on the air of the Polish Radio and online at the Grants’s profile on Facebook. Guests were greeted by the Chairman of the Polish Radio Supervisory Board - Albert Dreger, the Deputy Minister of Investment and Economic Development - Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak and the Ambassador of Kingdom of Norway in Poland - Olav Myklebust.

Outstanding Polish Radio Orchestra, conducted by Michał Klauza, performed Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872) compositions, as well as the pieces of composers from all the Donor States of the EEA and Norway Grants: Iceland (Jón Leifs 1899-1968), Liechtenstein (Josef Gabriel Rheinberger 1839-1901) and Norway (Edvard Grieg 1843-1907). Therefore, the event referred to particular importance of the bilateral relations with the Donor States. It was manifested during the concert by joining the musicians of the Polish Radio Orchestra by Alexander Gadjiev – one of the most promising students of International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein.

Strongly anchored in the Principality of Liechtenstein, the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein strives to achieve a leading position in the international world of music. As reputable institution it aims at the formation of a young and aspiring musical elite by dedicated masters in the respective fields. In doing so it places the holistic personal development of its students in the forefront and, in addition to musical advancement, offer a range of unique development experiences. These include learning from role models and performances at top-class concert sessions in different formations.

Alexander Gadjiev, born in 1994, is one of the academy's most promising scholars and a multiple First Prize winner at International Competitions, among them are the First Prize and the audience prize at the Ninth Hamamatsu International Piano Competition 2015 – one of the ten most prestigious piano competitions in the world – and the First Prize at "2018 Monte-Carlo World Piano Masters Competition". In 2019, he was selected by BBC Radio 3 to join the New Generation Artists (NGA) scheme until 2021, which will offer the artist to participate in several renowned festivals throughout Great Britain and to perform as a soloist with orchestra and as a chamber musician as well at prestigious venues like London Wigmore Hall and others. All the concerts will be broadcasted on BBC Radio 3.

Inauguration of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Poland by the cultural event was not accidental. Looking back, it should be underlined that the results of the support received by Poland in two previous Grants’ editions are visible in the various areas of life: in the fields of environment, urban development, research, education or health. They seem to be however the most expressive in area of culture. Thanks to the support of Grants in area of culture, a lot of historical monuments regained its former splendor, and available cultural offer was extended.

Listen to the concert here!