Wladyslaw Szpilman - "The Pianist"

Wladyslaw Szpilman (1911 - 2000) was a major star on Polish State Radio in the 1930s. In September 1939, during a live broadcast, he was performing Chopin's "Nocturne in C Sharp Minor" when the studio was bombed. Narrowly escaping deportation and the death camps, he survived with the help of Polish friends and was ultimately spared by a German officer who heard him play the same "Nocturne" in his hiding place.

After the war, Szpilman resumed his career at Polish State Radio, coming back on the air once again with the "Nocturne". During the following decades he appeared in concert as a soloist as well as with the Warsaw Piano Quintet in Poland, throughout Europe, Asia and America.

Later, he recounted his experiences in a best-selling book - The Pianist - which formed the basis for Roman Polanski's award-winning film. His concert works as well a selection from 500 Szpilman songs are available for the first time, published by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers.

Detailed information about Wladyslaw Szpilman, including the book in various languages, the film "The Pianist" and Szpilman recordings as  well as a photo gallery and more is available from: www.szpilman.net