The 19th Franciszek Wybrańczyk Sinfonia Varsovia to Its City Festival took place from May 31 – June 7 in Warsaw. Four concerts in three locations on both sides of the river celebrated the 85th birthday anniversary of Franciszek Wybrańczyk, founder of the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra and originator of the Festival.
The Festival kicked off with a concert titled “A Symphony of Dance” in the Concert Pavilion. The Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra played Moniuszko’s Grand Mazurka from the opera Halka, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet fantasy-overture and Grieg’s Symphonic Dances. The virtuoso solo part in Saint-Saëns’ Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso was performed by Anna Maria Staśkiewicz – laureate of the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition and concert master of the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra. This was Australian conductor Benjamin Bayl’s first appearance with the Orchestra.
On 2 June, Sinfonia Varsovia Brass held a concert titled “Brass on the Grass.” The ensemble played works for brass ensemble, showcasing lively sounds combining jazz, Latin-American and film scores. On 3 June, pianist Krzysztof Książek and the Sinfonia Varsovia Wind Quintet performed a classical repertoire by Polish and French composers Bacewicz, Paderewski, Poulenc, and Thuille.
The Festival concluded in the Concert Pavilion with “Friday Night Fever.” The Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra under the direction of Adam Sztaba played Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Shostakovich’s Waltz from Jazz Suite, Kilar’s Polonaise and Piazzolla’s Libertango.
For more information and full program, visit sinfoniavarsovia.org.
[Source: polmic.pl]