KrakowInformer.com

Piano exhibited in Collegium Maius

Countess Delfina Potocka and...

Jane Stirling were Chopin's lovers

A 19th century piano by Pleyel company stored in Collegium Maius university museum in Krakow was always considered an original Fryderyk Chopin instrument due to a side plate (paper and glass covering with composer’s signature and date ‘15 Novembre 1848’) on its side. It was always considered to be an instrument belonging to to Jane Stirling, a famous Scottish pianist and Chopin’s student, and was exhibited in Green Room of the museum.

However recently it was discovered that the plate was moved from another Playel piano, found in bad condition in Pusłowski Palace, where Musicology Institute of the Jagiellonian University is located.

After careful examination it turned out that the instrument exhibited for years as Stirlings’ belonged to countess Potocka and was bought in 1847, and the Scottish pianist’s instrument was the one discovered in Musicology Institute. She bought it especially for Chopin and after her niece and a French collector Edouard Ganche the piano owner was Nazi governor Hans Frank who brought it to Krakow with him.

A question then arose which one the genuine Chopin’s piano really was. The answer brought relief to University and Museum authorities:

 - Fryderyk Chopin played both Pleyels found in Krakow – told PAP Prof. Stanisław Waltoś, director of Jagiellonian University Museum, Collegium Maius. – However we don’t know who switched the plate between them – said Waltoś.

The genuine Stirling’s piano is now waiting for renovation that will be paid for by anonymous private sponsor.

Fryderyk Chopin was Pleyel piano company’s face. He played its instruments and received provision for sold pianos. In one of his letters to the mother he described personally picking a Playel model for countess Potocka herself. It is still used on special occassions, such as Chopin music contests.