Polish jazz singer KaroliNa has released a new video of Gershwin’s beloved tune, “Summertime.” Before focusing fully on jazz, KaroliNa graduated from the USC Thornton School of music in classical viola, and her collaborators on this project are all Thornton-associated musicians: (list musicians and arranger from YouTube). KaroliNa’s lilting vocals are matched perfectly by the…Continue Reading New Jazz Video for KaroliNa
Month: October 2024
Chopin: Voyage – Yulianna Avdeeva
Pianist Yulianna Avdeeva recently released an album returning to Chopin and highlighting her journey with the composer’s music. After winning the XVI International Chopin Competition 14 years ago, she is ecstatic to share these late works of Chopin, mostly inspired by nature. This album has already garnered international attention, as it was recently featured in…Continue Reading Chopin: Voyage – Yulianna Avdeeva
New Waltz by Chopin Unearthed!
A remarkable find has emerged from the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City: a previously unknown waltz believed to be written by 19th century Polish composer, Frédéric Chopin. Discovered by curator Dr. Robinson McClellan while cataloging the Arthur Satz Collection, this significant piece is the first major Chopin discovery since the 1930s. The…Continue Reading New Waltz by Chopin Unearthed!
Voice of Polonia America Concert
The Voice of Polonia recently held the first edition of their competition in the Americas. This past week after 3 rounds of eliminations, select singers from the United States, Canada, and Brazil took part in the Grand Finale. Polish International Jazz artist Grażyna Auguscik was delighted with the competition and said “The competition had a…Continue Reading Voice of Polonia America Concert
In Memoriam: Janusz Olejniczak (1952–2024)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Janusz Olejniczak, a monumental figure in Polish music. Olejniczak, a virtuoso pianist, teacher, and advocate for Chopin’s music, passed away on October 20, 2024 at the age of 72. Born in Wrocław in 1952, Janusz Olejniczak’s talent was apparent from an early…Continue Reading In Memoriam: Janusz Olejniczak (1952–2024)
PMC GIFTS: Sept/Oct 2024
Music in Sound and Print Dr. Andrzej Ślązak, a longtime PMC friend and Fulbright Scholar who conducted research of our Bronisław Kaper Collection last year, came for a visit in early September. It was connected Dr. Ślązak’s East and West Coast concerts this fall that, among others, featured his solo piano transcriptions of Kaper’s lush…Continue Reading PMC GIFTS: Sept/Oct 2024
Winners Announced of the KF 2024 Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition
Polish-American soprano Magdalena Kuźma has won the Kosciuszko Foundation 2024 Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition, receiving the first prize of $8,000 and special performance awards offered by the Gerda Lissner Foundation and the Connecticut Lyric Opera. “We had a great semi-final round followed by a very difficult decision to select singers for the finals. We…Continue Reading Winners Announced of the KF 2024 Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition
2024 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles
The 2024 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles will be held October 31 – November 3, when events will extend down into neighboring San Luis Obispo for a symphonic Gala experience. Tickets for this year’s history-making events and exciting artists, as well as exclusive passes that include access to all concerts, are on sale now! Perks…Continue Reading 2024 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles
Markowski Centenary
August 22, 2024 marked one hundred years since Andrzej Markowski was born in Lublin. He was a noted Polish conductor, composer and founder—as well as the first director—of the Wratislavia Cantans Festival. Coming from a musical family (his father, Tadeusz, was a singer and actor, and his older brother, Jan, a composer and pianist), Andrzej…Continue Reading Markowski Centenary
THE SOUL OF SOUNDS
A recently published book, Dusza dzwięków, is a joint effort sponsored by the Polish Composers’ Union [ZKP] and Polish Music Information Center [POLMIC]. Its full English title, The Soul of Sounds—Conversations with Polish Composers, conveys the essence of this admirable undertaking that took well over a decade, and sought to present and analyze the work…Continue Reading THE SOUL OF SOUNDS