19 Oct 2025: Paderewski Lecture-Recital & Conversation with André Laks

Organized by the USC Polish Music Center, celebrations across Los Angeles of the artistic and intellectual legacy of Szymon Laks (1901-1983) will be held on October 19. Paris-based Polish Jewish composer and writer Szymon Laks’s music uniquely balances elements of French modernism, Polish folk music and American jazz. The composer survived imprisonment at Auschwitz by…Continue Reading 19 Oct 2025: Paderewski Lecture-Recital & Conversation with André Laks

Save the Date for the 2025 Paderewski Lecture Recital!

Grzegorz Mania (piano)

Presented on the evening of October 19 in USC’s Newman Recital Hall, the PMC’s 2025 Paderewski Lecture-Recital will explore the artistic and intellectual legacy of Szymon Laks (1901-1983). A Paris-based Polish composer, writer and philosopher, Laks’s music uniquely balances elements of French modernism, Polish folk music and American jazz. Guest lecturer Dr. Grzegorz Mania (pictured…Continue Reading Save the Date for the 2025 Paderewski Lecture Recital!

Oct 2024: Celebrating Henryk Wars ~ UNESCO Honors & 40 Years of PMC

The USC Polish Music Center presents the Paderewski Lecture-Recital, an annual concert event commemorating pianist, composer and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski by spotlighting current achievements in Polish music.  The USC Polish Music Center is home to the world-renowned archival collection of Henryk Wars (aka Henry Vars, 1902-1977), Poland’s foremost film composer of the inter-war era, whose hit tunes…Continue Reading Oct 2024: Celebrating Henryk Wars ~ UNESCO Honors & 40 Years of PMC

2023 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Oct 7-8

The USC Polish Music Center presents the Paderewski Lecture-Recital, an annual concert event that commemorates pianist and composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski by spotlighting current achievements in Polish music. This year marks the anniversaries of several leading Polish composers: Witold Lutosławski, Szymon Laks, Krzysztof Meyer, Joanna Bruzdowicz, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Marta Ptaszyńska, and Krzysztof Penderecki. The…Continue Reading 2023 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Oct 7-8

2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Kulenty

Event Details The 2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital celebrates Hanna Kulenty (b. 1961), a brilliant contemporary composer who divides time between her native Poland, the Netherlands and France. With works commissioned and performed by renowned ensembles and musicians throughout Europe, Kulenty’s catalogue ranges from intimate solo explorations of form to large-scale triumphs of sound. Selected works, three of…Continue Reading 2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Kulenty

Save the Date: 2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital

Hanna Kulenty

The 2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital celebrates Hanna Kulenty (b. 1961), a brilliant contemporary composer who divides time between her native Poland, the Netherlands and France. With works commissioned and performed by renowned ensembles and musicians throughout Europe, Kulenty’s catalogue ranges from intimate solo explorations of form to large-scale triumphs of ensemble sound. Selections of these works…Continue Reading Save the Date: 2022 Paderewski Lecture-Recital

2021 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Weinberg

2021 Paderewski Lecture-Recital

Page links: Event Description ~ Event Details ~ Full Program Composer Bio ~ Lecturer Bio ~ Performer Bios The 2021 Paderewski Lecture-Recital honors the 25th death anniversary of Mieczysław Weinberg (1919- 1996)—an exceptionally prolific Polish-Jewish composer whose recognition, both during his lifetime and today, has been overshadowed by the turbulent times in which he lived….Continue Reading 2021 Paderewski Lecture-Recital: Weinberg

2020 Paderewski Lecture with Krzysztof Meyer: Lecture Transcript

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Paderewski Lecture was conducted as an interview via Zoom on 22 August 2020, and broadcast to the worldwide public via USC ThorntonLIVE on 10 October 2020. The interview, transcribed below, features composer Krzysztof Meyer (KM) and his wife, musicologist Danuta Gwizdalanka (DG), in conversation with PMC director Marek…Continue Reading 2020 Paderewski Lecture with Krzysztof Meyer: Lecture Transcript

2020 Paderewski Lecture: Krzysztof Meyer (virtual)

2020 Paderewski Lecturer Krzysztof Meyer

The Polish Music Center, USC, Announces the 2020 Paderewski Lecturer: Krzysztof Meyer Please join us to meet Krzysztof Meyer, one of the greatest living Polish composers, who will discuss his life and music during the 19th Annual Paderewski Lecture. Due to the pandemic and social distancing restrictions, this year’s Paderewski Lecture will be a virtual…Continue Reading 2020 Paderewski Lecture: Krzysztof Meyer (virtual)

2019: Three Paderewskis

Event Details Saturday, October 12, 2019 | 8:00 p.m. 2019 Paderewski Lecture-Recital, feat. 3 Paderewskis Alfred Newman Recital Hall, USC (see AHF on campus map) 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA Admission is FREE and open to the public (no RSVP needed) Campus Parking: $14 – enter USC at McCarthy Way Gate, off of Figueroa St….Continue Reading 2019: Three Paderewskis