Renowned Polish musician and teacher Janusz Olejniczak, known for playing piano parts in the Oscar-winning movie The Pianist, has passed away at the age of 72. Born in Wroclaw in 1952, Olejniczak began his piano education at a young age and went on to study in Warsaw, Paris, and Essen.
Olejniczak gained international fame at the age of 18 when he was a laureate of the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. Throughout his career, he was praised for his interpretations of Chopin’s music and even resembled the Romantic-era composer physically. He played the role of Chopin in the 1991 movie The Blue Note, directed by Andrzej Zulawski.
In 2002, Olejniczak recorded the piano parts for Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, a film that earned Polanski the best director Oscar and Adrien Brody the best actor award. Olejniczak’s hands can be seen playing the piano in the movie.
Olejniczak served on the jury of the Chopin piano competitions for many years and, since 2018, on the Chopin competition on period instruments. His death has left the Frédéric Chopin Institute deeply saddened, as he was seen as one of the most outstanding performers of Chopin’s music on period instruments and a talented teacher.
Described by composer and conductor Jerzy Maksymiuk as having a sensitive soul and extraordinary talent, Olejniczak will be remembered for his unique interpretations and dedication to his craft. Despite facing health problems, he was determined to pursue his great plans until his passing.
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