Renowned Polish pianist and music teacher Janusz Olejniczak, best known for performing the piano parts in the Oscar-winning 2002 film The Pianist, has passed away at the age of 72. His family confirmed that Olejniczak died on Sunday due to a heart attack.
The family’s statement praised his “extraordinary musical sensitivity,” particularly in his interpretations of Frederic Chopin’s works, which earned him worldwide recognition.
Aleksander Laskowski, spokesperson for the national Frederic Chopin Institute, expressed profound sorrow, describing Olejniczak as “one of the most outstanding contemporary performers of Chopin’s music” on period instruments and commending his contributions as an exceptional teacher.
Jerzy Maksymiuk, a composer and conductor who was a close friend, reflected on Olejniczak’s “sensitive soul and extraordinary talent,” noting how this emotional depth shone through his performances, creating a “unique aura.” Maksymiuk mentioned that he had lunch with Olejniczak on the day of his death, during which they discussed Olejniczak’s ambitious future plans, despite his health struggles.
Olejniczak’s international career took off in 1970 when, at just 18 years old, he became a laureate of the 8th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. His resemblance to the romantic-era composer even led him to portray Chopin in the 1991 film The Blue Note by Andrzej Zulawski.
In 2002, Olejniczak recorded the piano sequences for Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, where his hands are featured during the piano performances. The film went on to win several Academy Awards, including Best Director for Polanski and Best Actor for Adrien Brody.
Aside from his work with Chopin’s compositions, Olejniczak also performed contemporary music, including pieces by the late Polish composer Wojciech Kilar.
Born on October 2, 1952, in Wroclaw, Poland, Olejniczak began learning the piano at the age of six. He studied in Warsaw, Paris, and Essen, eventually becoming a juror for the prestigious Chopin piano competitions. Since 2018, he had also served on the jury for the Chopin competition on period instruments.
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