The extraordinary stories and accomplishments of 170 Polish musicians whose presence in Philadelphia influenced music in America have been published in a new book From Paderewski to Penderecki: The Polish Musician in Philadelphia by Paul Krzywicki. Paul Krzywicki, a native of Philadelphia, was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for thirty-three years, performing in over four thousand…Continue Reading From Paderewski to Penderecki
Songlines, one of the most important magazines devoted to world music, will showcase the rich Silesian music scene in its April 2016 edition. The included Silesian Roots sampler was created as part of a program promoting artists associated with Katowice, named a UNESCO City of Music in December 2015. The 15-track sampler ‘Silesian Roots: Best…Continue Reading Silesian Folk Music Highlighted
The Norwid Awards were established by the Mazovia Voivodeship in 2001 for outstanding works associated with the region, and has been presented annually in four categories: music, visual arts, literature and theater. The “Life’s Work” Award was established in 2005 by the Regional Government of Mazovia, as a special prize for an individual’s exceptional works, performances, or…Continue Reading Nominations for Norwid Awards
Karol Szymanowski: Correspondence, Volume 1: 1902-1919 – the first volume of a series devoted to the composer’s letters in English translation – has been published. Edited by Dr. Alistair Wightman, there are 401 letters in the first volume, which is currently only available in electronic form. This first volume covers the earliest letters dating from the composer’s…Continue Reading Szymanowski Letters in English
Organized by the Association of Polish Arts and Musicians, the world premiere of Piano Quintet by Stanisław Bromboszcz was presented at the Ignacy Jan Paderewski State Music School in Białystok on March 31. Also featured on this program of Polish composers of the younger generation was Prisma by Bartosz Kowalski and Piano Quintet by Paweł Łukaszewski. This free concert was…Continue Reading Bromboszcz Premiere
Theatre and opera director Mark Weiss stages his final production of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Czarnamaska (Black Mask) for the Baltic Opera on March 20 in Warsaw. Czarnamaska is hailed as one of the greatest masterpieces of the contemporary opera as well as the most difficult opera Weiss has directed thus far. Weiss collaborated with musical director Szymon…Continue Reading New Penderecki Productions at Baltic and Silesian Operas
On March 24, the Baltic Neopolis Orchestrapresented an evening of Polish music entitled “Mosaic – Impressions – Poland” including works by such renowned Polish composers as Grażyna Bacewicz, Krzysztof Penderecki, Andrzej Panufnik, Wojciech Kilar and Paweł Łukaszewski at Radialsystem V in Berlin. This “Long Night of Polish Concerts” was split into three parts, of which the…Continue Reading Bałdych Premiere in Berlin
On March 16, the world premiere of Missa Solemnis ad Honorem Sancti Joannis Pauli II by Marta Ptaszyńska took place in Warsaw, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Warsaw University (now called the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music). The composition, as indicated in the title, was inspired by Pope John Paul II’s book entitled Meditations. Ptaszyńska masterfully incorporated specific texts in…Continue Reading Ptaszyńska World Premiere
From Mieczysław Kominek, President of the Polish Composers Union (ZKP), and our friends at the Polish Music Information Centre in Warsaw we received a program and CD box set from the 2015 Warszawska Jesień [Warsaw Autumn] Festival. The program is an incredibly detailed source, containing information about composers, program notes and other details of the 2015 edition of this prestigious…Continue Reading Donations to PMC
On March 21, Ewa and Dariusz Kupiński of the internationally acclaimed Kupiński Guitar Duo dropped by the Polish Music Center for tea. During the visit, the pair shared their new CD (QBK 016), which features music by Rossini, Chopin, Bogdanovic, Piazzolla, Gershwin, and Granados. This is their second classical album release. The Kupiński Guitar Duo is showcasing…Continue Reading Kupiński Guitar Duo at USC