Chopin Nocturne No. 20 Perf. By Wladyslaw Szpilman - "the Pianist" - Original Recording May 2026

This specific piece bookended the most traumatic years of Szpilman's life:

On September 23, 1939, Szpilman was performing this Nocturne live on Polskie Radio when German bombs struck the station, silencing the broadcast for six years. This specific piece bookended the most traumatic years

When Polish Radio resumed broadcasting after the war, Szpilman opened the first transmission with this same piece. 🎶 The "Original" Recordings Szpilman played this Nocturne

While hiding in the ruins of Warsaw, a starving Szpilman was discovered by German officer Wilm Hosenfeld . When asked to prove he was a pianist, Szpilman played this Nocturne; moved by the music, Hosenfeld spared him and provided food. moved by the music