On February 8 the elegant headquarters of the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City hosted a special event celebrating the centenary of Poland’s regained independence with a lecture entitled “Paderewski and World Politics,” given by PMC Director Marek Zebrowski. Zebrowski’s lecture was illustrated with dozens of rare photographs from the Polish Music Center’s Paderewski Archive: the Paso…Continue Reading Kosciuszko FDN & PMC Honor Paderewski
Wojciech Maciejewski, the younger brother of composer, pianist and choral conductor, Roman Maciejewski (1910-1998), died in Warsaw on February 11. He was 94 years old. A kind and gentle yet firm individual, Wojciech was a tireless champion of his brother’s musical opus. Born in Leszno in 1923, he spent the World War II years in…Continue Reading Wojciech Maciejewski Obituary
Leszek Łakowski—Love Songs Leszek Kułakowski – piano, Piotr Kułakowski – double bass, Tomasz Sowiński – drums, Joanna Knitter – vocals, Tomasz Grzegorski – saxophone, Maciej Grzywacz – guitar Soliton Records (2017) From a review by Adam Baruch at Polish-Jazz.Blogspot.com: This is a beautiful album by Polish pianist/composer Leszek Kułakowski, who shows herein yet another facet of his…Continue Reading Discography February 2018
Emanuel Ax in L.A. & O.C. In January, Polish-born pianist Emanuel Ax was featured in several solo and chamber recitals around Los Angeles and Orange County. This beloved elder statesman of the piano performed at two educational institutions: Soka University Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo (Jan. 16) and Colburn School of Music in downtown Los Angeles…Continue Reading Performances February 2018
2018 Chopin In The City The Chopin IN the City Festival celebrates the birthday of Fryderyk Chopin from February 22-March 1, 2018 in Chicago, IL. “We are celebrating Chopin’s birthday and presenting his music in different styles from classical and jazz, to global and avant-garde for people of all ages” said Grazyna Auguscik, an international jazz recording artist…Continue Reading Festivals February 2018
June – December Anniversaries The iconic festival of contemporary music, Warszawska Jesień [Warsaw Autumn], celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. Held in various venues around Warsaw from September 15-23, its programs will examined the phenomenon of the avant-garde, featuring works by the composers of the original avant-garde juxtaposed with the composers of the past sixty years. See more below….Continue Reading 2017 In Review Part 2
Ignacy Paderewski Gala At Carnegie Hall February 21 brings a special Ignacy Paderewski Gala concert to mark the start of the US celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of Poland regaining its Independence. Pianists Kevin Kenner, Szymon Nehring, Marek Bracha and Łukasz Krupinski are the award‐winning experts who will share this prestigious stage for one night. Their program, entitled…Continue Reading 100 Years of Polish Independence
In February and March, the PMC is delighted to host three talented musical guests from Poland. Maria Sławek – violin, Grzegorz Mania – piano and Piotr Różański – piano are members of the Stowarzyszenie Polskich Muzyków Kameralistów (SPMK), or Polish Society of Chamber Musicians from Kraków)—an active group of excellent young musicians who perform and educate around the world. They will…Continue Reading LA Concerts in February & March
On February 18, the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw will hold a concert of Premieres of New Music. At the event, II Koncert kameralny. Pamięci zniknionego by Ignacy Zalewski will be performed for the first time. Written in 2017 for the Hashtag Ensemble, Zalewski’s composition consists of three movements meant to be played without any breaks in between…Continue Reading Premieres By Zalewski & Przybylski
Lutosławski Cello Competition Laureates The International Lutosławski Cello Competition in Warsaw is the first and still the only competition in Poland where the complete portfolio of cello works by Lutosławski are included in the repertoire. Running since 1997, the 11th edition of the Competition takes place January 29 – February 10 at the National Philharmonic Hall. Rounds…Continue Reading Awards February 2018