_edited.png)
FROM HOME TO HOME. ON THE WINGS OF SONG. No.10/12.06
- victorshramko
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
I have just returned home to Poland with a memory full of joyful events in Kuwait.
From home to home, actually. My family home is in the Polish mountains; however, the forty years I have spent in Kuwait make Kuwait feel like home to me too.
I brought back those happy memories from the events of the 7th Chopin Competition. The event culminated with the Gala Concert at Yarmouk Culture Centre. The Parade of Winners included the youngest artists, such as 6-year-old Philip T.M. Simanjunta, 9-year-old Elisey Kon, or 11-year-old Witold Masternak, up to the oldest, such as Sondos Hameed Mubarak or 50-year-old Dr. Mohamed El Maraghy. It was a concert of real music, not just some ordinary show by a music club.
NB. The question would be whether we can call small children or adult music enthusiasts artists. In this case, I think so. If they play really well-written music, adding their own story to it. If they somehow force us with their art to listen to them and add our story to the magic of the music. If they have a message for me as a listener. If they don't just syllabify but tell the story. If it isn't only sounds playing quickly and loudly. Because they are not talking about nothing! They are artists.
The amazingly good Gala Concert was crowned by the performance of the Grand Prix winners. Awards were presented by Polish Ambassador HE Michał Cholewa. The jury's decision was to share the Grand Prix between Shaun Thomas and Shahad Tarik AlAsad (ex aequo).
Shaun studied at KMA from when he was a little boy until now, as he goes to university to study. His great interpretation of Polonaise in C minor was worthy of a truly mature pianist.
Miss Shahad is an 18-year-old Kuwaiti, and her talent appeared quite recently. Her Nocturne in B flat minor, from the first to the last note, was full of love and joy. She played with all of herself, with her soul and heart. Therefore, in addition to the Grand Prix, Shahad was awarded the Special Prize for Extraordinary Musical Sensitivity, founded by Anne and Cezary Owerkowicz.
Other Special Prizes were awarded: 'Youngest Star' went to 6-year-old Philip (look above),
'The Best Mazurka' by France Ambassador, HE Olivier Gauvin, to Qays El Dirani.
'Nocturne from The Pianist' (Oscar-awarded movie) by Co-Founders of KMA, Mrs. Fajer Al Mazidi and Cezary Owerkowicz, to 9-year-old Elisey Kon, a talent developed beyond his years.
'The Best Female' by British Ambassador, Mrs. Belinda Lewis, to Sondos Hameed Mubarak, a Kuwaiti adult lady, respectable and passionate about music.
The female participants in this competition (mostly Kuwaitis) won most of the awards, which proves their talent and passion. Congratulations, ladies!
They proved the sense of KMA ideas: Talents are the Treasure. And - Embrace passion.
There are many more young musicians that would be worth mentioning. But this cannot be an endless post. So, only the smallest ones will be mentioned. Can you imagine the girl almost visible behind the stack of red drums playing on it very well, like 6-year-old Pola Masternak?
Or the boy not much bigger than his violin, playing Küchler's Concertino smoothly and confidently, like Rakan Mohamed? I LOVE THEM!!!
Some of them, as some of you, will fly for vacation abroad. But some will still stay for a while or for the whole vacation in Kuwait. Thinking of you, KMA has organized Summer Music Courses 2025 like every year. The length and date can be negotiated according to your needs and possibilities. The courses offer lessons in playing piano, electric organ, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, vocal singing, and so on. Classes will be held in our three locations in Salwa, Mahboula, and Sabah Al Salem.
And then maybe your vacation will pass with flying colors. On the wings of the song!
Contact KMA:
9603 0477 Mahboula and ARGAN Bedaya Branches
9099 4561 Salwa Branch
Enough words.
Let us play: Lang Lang & Gina Alice play F.Chopin - Nocturne Op.9 No.1 in B Flat Minor
This lovely nocturne was played by Shahad, winner of the Grand Prix.
It is a performance by the acknowledged Chinese master and his wife, presenting a unique transcription for four hands.
Written by
Cezary Owerkowicz
Co-founder of Kuwait Music Academy and
Director of Treasure of Talents Festival in Kuwait
