From Łódź…
Two visiting faculty members from the Łódź Music Academy not only performed on our Spring Concert on March 23 but also donated several interesting items for the PMC library. Tomasz Król, Dean of Instrumental Faculty presented us with two great books—Sentymentalna podróż po Łodzi [A Sentimental Journey Around Łódź] and Świat Oper Zygmunta Krauzego [The World of Zygmunt Krauze’s Operas]. The former is a bilingual album featuring historical photographs of Łódź assembled and enriched by a commentary by Ryszard Bonisławski. The latter, edited by Ryszard Daniel Golianek, is a series of analytical essays on Zygmunt Krauze’s operas by various distinguished musicologists. Both publications will make excellent additions to the PMC library.
Dean Król also presented us with a CD of works for voice and piano by Jerzy Bauer, featuring mezzo-soprano Jolanta Gzela and pianist Aleksandra Nawe. This CD is a compilation of recordings made at various concerts of Jerzy Bauer’s music held during the past decade at the Music Academy in Łódź.
Our other guest for the March 23 concert—Professor Maciej Staszewski, head of the contemporary music department—gave us his latest CD, On the Trail, featuring his compositions for solo guitar (Sonitus noctis, Alcázar and On the Trail) as well as works for guitar and orchestra. The remaining repertoire on this recording includes Staszewski’s Concertino for Guitar and Strings, Concerto for Guitar and Strings, and Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra with maestro Łukasz Błaszczyk leading the PRIMUZ String Orchestra of the Łódź Music Academy.
In addition to these gifts, we also received several brochures with English photos and text describing the programs of study at Łódź Music Academy. They will be displayed at the entrance to the PMC’s offices for all interested parties.
From New York…
Jerome Rose, a virtuoso pianist and distinguished pedagogue, recently served with PMC Director Marek Zebrowski as a juror of the Kosciuszko Foundation’s 2019 Chopin Competition. In a wonderful gesture of recognition, Mr. Rose took the opportunity to present the Polish Music Center with his Medici Classics DVD featuring live performances of Chopin’s Four Ballades and Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 and 3. Praised by the Gramophone as “displaying a dazzling virtuosity with a profound musical sense,” this recording will be a valued addition to our sound and video library. With a bonus interview conducted by David Dubal and included on this DVD release, fans of Chopin’s music will be able to become more acquainted with Jerome Rose’s artistic philosophy.
As always, our heartfelt thanks to all of our donors… Dziękujemy!