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September 1848. The window to his room presents a most beautiful view of the „Sterling Castel”. He is a great pianist and Jane Stirling knows it only too well.

The main protaganist of the evening was an absolute jewel among pianos, a unique Playel Piano Forte with the serial number of 13823, once belonging to Jane Stirling, in the 20th century aquired by Éduard Ganche’ – a grand piano which has eventually found its way to Chopin’s homeland and is now exhibitted in The Collegium Maius of the Jagiellonian University.

An Evening with Jane Stirling was an opportunity to listen to a variety of Chopin’s compositions, including the two Nocturnes which he dedicated to Jane Stirling, performed by the inimitable Anna Dębowska.

It was to the apartment of his compatriot – Dr. Lyszczynski – located at 10 Warriston Crescent in Edinburgh that Frédéric Chopin repeatedly and eagerly returned.

In 1848 Chopin gave a number of concerts in Scotland, but it was during his performances held en famille, in stately houses rather than in large concert halls, that his music showed the melancholy and plaintive sentiment which typically pervaded his ailing soul.

On July 15, 2016, Stiring’s Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church and its community witnessed an unprecedented event. A Kraków trio under the banner of the AboutProject.com performed what they proudly call An Evening with Jane Stirling to celebrate the 212th Anniversary of the birth of this Scottish heroine – Frederic Chopin’s pupil and friend. The next day they repeated the performance in Dunblane Cathedral – the presumed resting place of Chopin’s benefactor.

The story of how Jane helped Chopin in the last years of his life and he dedicated several nocturnes to her. Jane’s family and other local families gave money towards building the church. Now, almost two centuries later, all the connections are coming together for the special performance.

It was in 1848 that Dunblane-born Jane Wilhelmina Stirling took Frédéric Chopin to Scotland. Bankrupt and terminally ill, he had nothing to lose. Instead, he thought to earn a few pounds and hundreds of new admirers.

Anna gave a series of concerts featuring the chamber music of Joseph Jongen, following the release of her CD. These included performances at Oświęcim Castle, Kraków Music Academy Concert Hall, and Florianka Concert Hall in Kraków.