Online Polish newspapers have revealed a few more of their secrets about Bolet's tour in May/June 1961. New cities and dates have been added (Szczecin and Bielsko, for example) and there's a review of his Krakow concerts. Echo Krakowa (27/28 May) commented on the novelty of not one but two concertos in one evening. Stravinsky's Soldier's Tale was also heard for the first time in Krakow. 'There was no exaggeration in the praise already heaped on Bolet in the Western hemisphere. A distinct tendency towards lyricism; he played the two concertos in a somewhat Romantic way. More lyricism than inner fervour and dynamics. The insatiable and ruthless/demanding music lovers of Krakow required that the American played encores, though not all of yesterday's listeners had enough artistic and listening energy left to stay until the end of a very long evening.'
Blue Pumpkin
"If it's Tuesday, it must be Szczecin..."
Updated: Oct 31