Polish musician and educator Janusz Olejniczak, renowned for his piano performances in the Oscar-winning film The Pianist, has passed away at the age of 72 due to a heart attack, as confirmed by his family.

In a heartfelt statement to the media, his family highlighted his remarkable musical sensitivity, particularly in his interpretations of Frédéric Chopin’s works, which earned him both international fame and admiration.

Born on October 2, 1952, in Wroclaw, Olejniczak began his piano training at just six years old and continued his education in Warsaw, Paris, and Essen. His international career took off in 1970 when he became a laureate of the 8th International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw at the young age of 18. Observers noted his striking resemblance to the Romantic-era composer, which led him to portray Chopin in the 1991 film The Blue Note directed by Andrzej Zulawski.

In 2002, Olejniczak recorded the piano parts for Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, with his hands vividly showcased in the film, which went on to win the best director Oscar for Polanski and the best actor Oscar for Adrien Brody.

For many years, he served as a juror for the Chopin piano competitions and, since 2018, was a part of the jury for the two editions of the Chopin competition focusing on period instruments.

Aleksander Laskowski, a spokesperson for the national Frédéric Chopin Institute, expressed deep sorrow over Olejniczak’s passing, labeling him as “one of the most outstanding contemporary performers of Chopin’s music” and an exceptional teacher who also excelled in period instrument performance.

Composer and conductor Jerzy Maksymiuk, a close friend of Olejniczak, reflected on their lunch together the day before his passing, where they discussed Olejniczak’s “great plans” that he was eager to pursue despite facing health challenges. Maksymiuk described Olejniczak as a person whose “sensitive soul and extraordinary talent” shone through in his interpretations, creating a truly “unique aura” in his performances.