November 3 marked the 10th anniversary of Professor Marek Stachowski’s death. A distinguished composer, pedagogue and Rector of the Kraków Music Academy, Stachowski was a significant presence on the Polish music scene. The Kraków Chapter of the Polish Composers’ Union and the Music Academy had jointly organized a series of concerts and lectures commemorating Stachowski’s…Continue Reading Kraków Commemorates Stachowski
Known around the world as “Armistice Day” or “Veterans’ Day,” November 11 is also Poland’s Independence Day, commemorating the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty after World War I following more than a century of partitions. Just like all other Polish diplomatic outposts around the world, each year the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in…Continue Reading Poland’s Independence Day Celebrated at USC
According to the external news service of Polish radio, thenews.pl: Polish jazz singer Urszula Dudziak has been chosen as a UNESCO Artist for Peace on account of her efforts to promote women’s rights and cultural diversity. A letter from UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova was presented to the artist by Deputy Foreign Minister Artur Nowak-Far over…Continue Reading Dudziak Named Unesco ‘Artist For Peace’
Paweł Łukaszewski—well-known composer, conductor, choirmaster, and 2011 Paderewski Lecturer—is this year’s winner of the Jerzy Kurczewski Prize. The artist was chosen for his outstanding achievements in the field of choral works, which have been presented at over 100 festivals in Poland and abroad, and were recorded on 70 CDs. The award ceremony will take place…Continue Reading Kurczewski Prize For Łukaszewski
Since 1988 the Polish Composers’ Union (ZKP) had organized a cycle of concerts presenting contemporary Polish composers. This year’s 24th edition of the series presented concerts on December 1 and 2 featuring works by Paweł Hendrich and Zdzisław Szostak. Leading Polish artists are invited to participate in presenting seminal works by each composer to the…Continue Reading Composers’ Portraits: Hendrich & Szostak
The 65th session of Musica Moderna was held November 26—December 6 in Łódź. Professor Deborah Bradley-Kramer from Columbia University in New York City and Jarosław Płonka from the Kraków Music Academy were special guests along with the Warsaw-based INTEGRO Ensemble. Professor Bradley-Kramer inaugurated the festivities with her Nov. 26 lecture and the Festival began with…Continue Reading Musica Moderna Sessions
Weinberg: Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 4 Mieczysław Weinberg: Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 67; Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 61 Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Ilya Gringolts – violin, Jacek Kaspszyk – cond. POMATON / WARNER CLASSICS (Nov. 24, 2014) The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra releases its first CD ‘Warsaw Philharmonic: Weinberg Symphony No. 4…Continue Reading Warsaw Phil Records For Warner Classics
Jazz in Polish Cinema: Out of the Underground 1958-67 Works for film by composers Krzysztof Komeda and Andrzej Trzaskowski Tomasz Stańko – trumpet; Don Cherry – trumpet; Michał Urbaniak – violin, saxophone; Zbigniew Namyslowski – saxophone; and various other artists from original recordings Jazz On Film Records (4 CD Box Set – rel. date: 17…Continue Reading Jazz In Polish Cinema
Magdalena Filipczak: Essence of Violin Saint-Saën (arr: Eugene Ysaÿe): Caprice d’après l’Etude en forme de valse, Op 52/6; Elgar: Chanson de Matin, Op 15/2; Salut d’Amour, Op 12; Piazzolla: Bordel 1900 from History of the Tango; Café 1930 from History of the Tango; Wieniawski: Fantaisie Brillante sur ‘Faust’ de Charles Gounod, Op 20; Britten: Reveille:…Continue Reading Magdalena Filipczak Debut CD
On Thursday November 20, Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stańko and his New York Quartet (comprised of pianist David Virelles, bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Gerald Cleaver) shared the stage at Barbican Hall with Italian pianist Stefano Bollani and Brazilian bandolim player Hamilton de Holanda at the London Jazz Festival. It was a performance of inspirational playing,…Continue Reading Stańko In London