Who was Wladyslaw Szpilman?

Władysław Szpilman was a Polish-Jewish pianist, composer, and memoirist. Szpilman is widely known as the protagonist of the Roman Polanski film The Pianist, which is based on his memoir of the same name recounting how he survived the Holocaust.

What kind of character is Wladyslaw Szpilman?

Personality… suave, soft-spoken, and resilient. He can also be rebellious, claiming, “I’m not going anywhere.” But he quickly learns that he must follow orders if he wishes to keep himself alive.

What did Szpilman play?

Despite his weakness, Szpilman played Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor, the same piece that he had played on the radio the day the Germans invaded Warsaw. After a moment of silence, the officer asked him if he was Jewish, then gave him food and clothing with which to survive the next weeks.

What happened to Henryk and Halina in The Pianist?

On 16th August 1942, the Szpilman family were separated, with Henryk and his younger sister Halina allowed to stay in Warsaw, whilst the rest of the family were picked for deportation to the east. In the afternoon, the pair volunteered to rejoin their family at the Umschlagplatz.

Is Pianist a true story?

The Pianist is based on a 1946 memoir of Szpilman by the writer Jerzy Waldorff, who first met the musician and composer in 1938.

Who saved Szpilman?

Wilhelm Hosenfeld
Wilhelm Hosenfeld saved the life of Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman received worldwide attention through Roman Polanski’s 2002 film, which won three Academy Awards and many other prizes worldwide.

What happened to the family of Szpilman?

On 16th August 1942, the Szpilman family were separated, with Henryk and his younger sister Halina allowed to stay in Warsaw, whilst the rest of the family were picked for deportation to the east.

Is Wladyslaw Szpilman a good name for a pianist?

That is a good name, for a pianist. Wladyslaw Szpilman : They all want to be better Nazis than Hitler. Wladyslaw Szpilman : [taking off his watch] Here, sell this. Food is more important than time. Dorota : No-one play Chopin like you.

What piece of music did Szpilman play to the German officer?

Szpilman played Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23. After that, the officer brought him bread and jam on numerous occasions. He also offered Szpilman one of his coats to keep warm in the freezing temperatures. Szpilman did not know the name of the German officer until 1951.

Where did Sebastian Szpilman study piano?

Szpilman began his study of the piano at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland, where he studied piano with Aleksander Michałowski and Józef Śmidowicz, first- and second-generation pupils of Franz Liszt.

What did Hosenfeld ask Szpilman to play on the piano?

To Szpilman’s surprise, the officer did not arrest or kill him; after discovering that the emaciated Szpilman was a pianist, Hosenfeld asked him to play something on the piano that was on the ground floor. Szpilman played Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23. After that, the officer brought him bread and jam on numerous occasions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oQEa-d5rU