Adrian Thomas, a leading authority on Polish music, was recently awarded the Golden Gloria Artis medal for his outstanding contribution to the study and promotion of Polish music. Poland’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Witold Sobków, decorated Professor Thomas at London’s Royal Festival Hall at a ceremony accompanying the world premiere of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s…Continue Reading Gloria Artis for Adrian Thomas
The voting results of the 1,200-member Polish Phonographic Academy were announced on April 24 during the gala award ceremony at the Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw. An honor similar to the American Grammy Awards, the 2014 Fryderyk trophies were awarded in 34 categories of popular, classical and jazz music. Winners in Classical Music: Artist of the…Continue Reading 2014 Fryderyk Awards
The second International Opera Awards took place on April 7, 2014 in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Highlights of the evening included a surprise performance from Male Singer of the year, winner Stuart Skelton. Intended to be an honor similar to the ‘Oscars’ for film, the annual ‘Operas’—as they are unofficially called by audiences—are global…Continue Reading Opera Oscar For Poland
The Symphony No. 4 of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki was given its World Premiere on April 12 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The London Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Andrey Boreyko. This posthumously-premiered work was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with generous support from the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic…Continue Reading Górecki’s Fourth Lauded
The recent World Premiere of Górecki’s Fourth Symphony continues to invite comments and analyses from various quarters. Many interesting details emerge, especially pertaining to the role of Górecki’s son, Mikołaj, in completing and successfully helping to introduce his father’s unfinished work to the public. Read more at commdiginews.com/entertainment/revisiting-gorecki-part-2. Also of interest is an extensive interview…Continue Reading Górecki’s Fourth Inspires Deeper Investigation
Many new works by Polish composers will receive their world premieres at festivals in Poland during the month of May. Below is a list of the premieres at prominent Festivals. Warsaw Music Encounters (May 10-17): Premiering soloists:Agata Szymczewska, Jarosław Bręk, Łukasz Długosz, Marek Bracha, Magdalena Bojanowicz, Leszek Lorent, Maciej Bogumił Nerkowski, Grzegorz Skrobiński Works premiered:…Continue Reading Festival Premieres In May
Paweł Łukaszewski’s Ego sum pastor bonus for mixed choir a cappella was world-premiered in Kraków on April 24 by the Ealing Abbey Choir led by Christopher Eastwood. The same ensemble also gave a London premiere of Łukaszewski’s work on May 11. Composed in January 2014, Ego sum pastor bonus celebrates the recent canonization of John…Continue Reading Łukaszewski Premieres
The May 11 Gala concert at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw celebrates the 30th anniversary of Sinfonia Varsovia. Established in 1984, this well-known ensemble began as Studio Polish Chamber Orchestra and gave its first concerts under the baton of Yehudi Menuhin. The May 2014 Varsovia Gala features Panufnik’s Suita staropolska, two of Vivaldi’s Sinfonias, and…Continue Reading Varsovia Celebrates its 30th!
The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles invites everyone to a special tribute concert of music composed by Wojciech Kilar and Victor Young. Their works will be performed by two extraordinary Polish jazz musicians: Kuba Stankiewicz (piano) and Darek Oleszkiewicz (jazz bass). The concert will take place on the eve of the 25th Anniversary of…Continue Reading Stankiewicz And Oleszkiewicz Perform Kilar And Young
The second Convention on Polish Music was held at the National Library in Warsaw on May 12-14, 2014. Organized by the Institute of Music and Dance (IMiT), Polish Composers’ Union (ZKP) and the Polish Music Council (PRM), the convention’s agenda included discussions on the future of music in Poland as well as setting goals and…Continue Reading Polish Music Convention