On May 24, the University of Music Fryderyk Chopin hosted the world premiere of Piotr Moss‘s new work, Concerto élégiaque for viola and orchestra. The Concerto was performed by the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra, under the baton of Jerzy Maksymiuk, featuring soloist Katarzyna Budnik-Gałązka, to whom the work is dedicated and inspired. At the request of…Continue Reading Piotr Moss Premiere
Miłosz Bembinow’s latest work, Amor et Psyche for Choir, Big Band and String Orchestra was world-premiered on May 20 at the closing concert of the Universitas Cantat Festival in Poznań. The composer used the Latin version of this ancient story to produce a contemporary work that uses extended vocal techniques (whispering, speaking, and shouting) alongside…Continue Reading Bembinow Premiere At Universitas Cantat
The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra in Białystok presented a fascinating concert on June 9, spotlighting major works by Aleksander Tansman. On this occasion the orchestra was led by Maestro Jason Lai, who conducts the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra and also serves as Assistant Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The concert opened with…Continue Reading Tansman In Białystok
In the latest issue of Gramophone, Jeremy Nicholas wrote an article about “Forgotten Romantic violin concertos” and the value of unearthing them for presentation to concert and media audiences. In his article, he highlights works by Polis composers Moritz Moszkowski, Henryk Wieniawski and Mieczysław Karłowicz. Below are highlights from the article: Moszkowski – Violin Concerto…Continue Reading Forgotten Polish Concertos in Gramophone
by Marek Zebrowski In many ways the Gorzów Philharmonic is unique among the music institutions in Poland. Established in 2011, it is a very young orchestra and—in spite of its babyish age—already a very accomplished and artistically important ensemble. Located in a regional center of Gorzów Wielkopolski—a city of 125,000 inhabitants located in northwestern Poland—this…Continue Reading SPOTLIGHT: Gorzów Phil & Kilar Contemporary Music Festival
Translated into English as Three-Four-Go!, this important and unusual festival will present 11 concerts between May 30 and June 28 at the Lutosławski Concert Studio in Warsaw, with pianist Maciej Grzybowski at the helm as the Artistic Director. Throughout the entire month of June, this year’s theme of “Context, Contrast, Confrontation” will be explored by…Continue Reading Trzy-Czte-Ry Festival
Piotr Sułkowski will lead the Warmia-Mazury Philharmonic in the first edition of the Arena Festival, which is dedicated to film music. Scheduled for June 30-July 2, the three concerts group the music by themes, with “Fairy Tales” on the opening night followed by music from TV Series and ending on a “Music of the World”…Continue Reading Arena Festival
On May 28 – June 4, the 57th edition of the Krakow Film Festival took place in Warsaw. The Festival is one of the oldest events in Europe dedicated to documentary, animated and short feature films. During the eight-day event, audiences enjoyed exhibitions, concerts, open-air shows and meetings with artists. Filmmakers from Poland and around…Continue Reading Krakow Film Festival
KAROL SZYMANOWSKI – PIANO MUSIC Karol Szymanowski: Nine Preludes, Op. 1; Four Études, Op. 4; Masques, Op. 34; Two Mazurkas, Op. 62 Barbara Karaśkiewicz – piano Divine Art Records DDA 25151 (June 16, 2017) Barbara Karaśkiewicz is a Polish pianist of consummate skill with a natural empathy for Polish music, demonstrated by her critically acclaimed…Continue Reading Szymanowski by Karaśkiewicz
PĘKIEL, B.: Masses (Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, Kosendiak) Bartłomiej Pękiel: Missa a 14; Canon a 6: Tres Canones Simul Cantatur 1; Missa senza le cerimonie; Canon a 6: Aliud. sex vocibus; Missa Paschalis; Canon a 6: Aliud. Sex vocibus; Missa senza le cerimonie II; Missa Concertata La Lombardesca Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, Andrzej Kosendiak – conductor ACD…Continue Reading New on CD Accord