Sinfonia Varsovia performed extensively during the La Folle Journée 2015 festival, a popular event founded on strong artistic demands that was held at the La Cité Event Center in Nantes, France. From January 23-25, the ensemble performed Polish composers including Fryderyk Chopin, Zygmunt Noskowski and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, collaborating with such international artists as Philippe Giusiano – piano, Maxim Emelyanychev – cond., Alexander Sladkovsky – cond., Marita Solberg – soprano, Andris Poga – cond. and Yulianna Avdeeva – piano.
Currently in its 21st year, La Folle Journée’s greatest achievement consists of overcoming the prejudice that surrounds classical music, without deforming its values, in bringing the audience close to the music and the musicians without diminishing their stature, and in opening new horizons, while retaining the freedom of choice. The audience is offered an opportunity to meet composers or members of a national music school in their own time, while allowing for each individual’s capacity to concentrate and listen. This approach is made easier by offering exceptionally low prices and catering for varying sensitivities and cultural practices, while respecting every party and working to promote music.
With events that last no more than 45 minutes, la Folle Journée offers a new perspective on concerts that attract and instruct new audiences of all ages by doing away with the unchanging and rather predictable rituals of conventional concerts. In a relatively short time, visitors can wander from room to room, each of which offers acoustics that are perfectly suited to the different musical effects. The profusion of concerts is an opportunity for visitors to renew their musical experience, as and when they choose.
[Sources: pwm.com.pl, sinfoniavarsovia.org, follejournee.fr]