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Donald Macleod explores the social whirl that propelled Chopin's visit to London.

Chopin made just two trips to Britain, both in later life. These visits are often portrayed as a disaster - a calamitous mistake of no worth to Chopin which hastened the composer’s death. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores these two trips in depth, during which the virtuoso pianist gave six of the thirty public concerts he gave during the whole of his life, and also made many private appearances meeting the great and the good of British society. In Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores how Chopin was introduced into high society in London, through a series of appearances organised by his pupil and admirer Jane Stirling coming into contact with notable figures including Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens.

Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.45
Alexandre Tharaud (piano)

Fantasy on Polish Airs, Op.13
Nelson Goerner (piano)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Kazimierz Kord (conductor)

Ballade no. 2 in F, Op.38
Krystian Zimerman (piano)

Piano Concerto no.1 – I. Allegro Maestoso
Martha Argerich (piano)
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Charles Dutoit (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips