Ekaterina Popowa-Zydroń, Polish pianist of Bulgarian origin. Graduated with honours from State High School of Music (now Academy of Music) in Gdansk, from prof. Zbigniew Sliwinski’s class, in 1973. Completed her postgraduate studies in Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, in prof. Alexander Jenner’s class. Participant of master classes run by Susanne Roche, Dieter Zechlin and Georgy Sebok. Prizewinner of the following Polish competitions: 4th Polish Festival of Young Musicians; 2nd Polish Competition of Piano Music. Entered semi-finals of 9th International Chopin Competition, Warsaw, 1974 (won 4th award); Piano Competition in Terni, Italy, 1975 and ARD Piano Competition in Munich in 1978.
She gives performances both in Poland and other countries. Her repertoire ranges from Baroque to 20th c. music. She has also given first performances of Polish contemporary composers. She is also known for her performance of all kinds of chamber music.
According to some music reviewers, her performance of G-major concert by Beethoven was an extremally successful creation…”; “Chopin’s music played by Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron seems to be contemporary, full of simplicity, deprived of any exaggeration. The
Together with her colleagues Ekaterina Popowa – Zydroń founded the Society of Music Lovers in Gdańsk in 1996. Ekaterina Popowa – Zydroń was awarded the Prince Mściwoj medal by the Town Council for her social accomplishment in the field of culture.
Katarzyna (Ekaterina) Popowa-Zydron’s links with musical education are long-lasting. At present she is a professor of piano at the Academy of Music in Gdansk and in Bydgoszcz. She has also been invited to run numerous masterclasses in Poland and other countries, held seminars ,open classes and consultations. She has been a jury member for several Polish and foreign competitions. Her students have been prizewinners of various piano competitions in Poland and abroad. Karolina Nadolska (Prizewinner of Chopin Competition in Marianskie Laznie in 2003); Rafal Blechacz (In October 2005 he unanimously won the 15th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw); Rafal Blechacz also won the best performance for Mazurka, Concerto, and Polonaise.