Grychtołówna Lidia, *18 July 1928 Rybnik, polska pianistka. She started learning to play the piano with W. Chmielowska when she was 6 years old. In 1941–44, she studied privately with K. Szafranek, in 1945–51 she studied at the State Higher School of Music in Katowice (piano with W. Chmielowska), obtaining a diploma with the highest distinction. In 1951–55, she studied in the master class of Z. Drzewiecki in Kraków and Warsaw, and in 1957–59, she participated in the master classes of A. Benedetti-Michelangeli. She made her debut in 1953 in Katowice with the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by S. Skrowaczewski. In 1955, she won the 7th prize at the 5th International F. Chopin Piano Competition, in 1956 – 3rd prize at the 1st International Schumann Competition in Berlin, in 1958 – a special prize at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano, in 1959 – an award at the International Piano Competition in Rio de Janeiro. She has performed in all European countries except Spain and Portugal, and on all continents except Africa. She took part in international music festivals in Bergen, Athens, Taormina, Warsaw, Adelaide, Perth, Berlin, and Dubrovnik. He has a very wide repertoire, ranging from baroque music to 20th-century classics, and particularly frequently performs works by Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann. She has made many radio, television and CD recordings (for PN and the Philips label). She received the Gold Medal of the City of Milan (1969), the Award of the Minister of Culture and Art, 2nd degree (1971), the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1971), the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1980), and the award of the president of RSW “Prasa” (1983).
