In a citation at Thursday’s ceremony, world-famous pianist Krystian Zimerman praised Paleczny, saying: “Your interpretations have always been full of respect for the composer. Your unfailing intuition, coupled with intelligence, allowed you to distinguish between tradition and mistakes which, repeated over and over again, pretend to belong to tradition.”
Klaudiusz Baran, Rector of the University of Music, had some warm words to say about Paleczny’s "pianistic virtuosity," his "attainments as a teacher," and his "successes in the worldwide promotion of Polish music," notably that of composers such as Chopin, Szymanowski and Paderewski.
Paleczny, who turns 76 on May 10, is a graduate of the Warsaw University of Music, which was formerly known as the State Higher School of Music.
His international career began after winning third prize at the 1970 International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. He has since performed as a soloist with prominent orchestras, such as the Chicago Symphony, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Gewandhaus in Leipzig.
His discography includes CDs for labels such as EMI, Naxos and BBC Classics.
Paleczny has also gained recognition as a jury member at many prestigious piano competitions, including those in Warsaw, Leeds, Paris, Tel Aviv, London, Cleveland, Tokyo, Hamamatsu and Salt Lake City.
He has led a piano class at his alma mater since 1997 and has served as director of the International Chopin Festival in Duszniki-Zdrój, southwestern Poland, since 1993.
His honours include the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland, the Gold Gloria Artis Medal of Cultural Merit and high Japanese and Mexican state distinctions.
(mk/gs)