The oeuvres of Witold Lutosławski and Arne Nordheim are of the utmost significance for the musical culture of Poland and Norway respectively. Among the most outstanding composers of the twentieth century, they both raised the contemporary music of their country to a global level. Interestingly, Lutosławski and Nordheim were friends. They met most often in…Continue Reading ‘Lutosławski & Nordheim’ Conference In Oslo
Centre for Dialogue and Analysis THINKTANK and Orange Poland have organized a music-related debate on the theme of “Nowe dźwięki, Nowe trendy, Nowe możliwości” [New sounds, new trends, new opportunities], which will be held on May 15, 2015 in Warsaw’s Miasteczku Orange. Music has always developed using new technologies. This revolution has picked up significantly…Continue Reading Debate: New Sounds, New Trends, New Opportunities
Musical America’s Susan Elliot reports the following: Marek Janowski will step down as artistic director and chief conductor of the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin (Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra) in summer 2016. “I do very much appreciate that I again was offered a long contract,” he said of the orchestra’s intent to renew his tenure. “However, after…Continue Reading Janowski Steps Down From Berlin RSO
According to front man and producer Jimmy Page, the band Led Zeppelin drew on inspiration such as the music of Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki in the creation of the band’s iconic sound, which, by the time they recorded “Physical Graffiti” 40 years ago, included a full orchestra. In February 2015, Page talked about the album’s…Continue Reading Led Zepplin Influenced By Penderecki
Writing for The Guardian on April 8, Andrew MacDowall paints a picture of how tourism in Poland is affected by the world’s fascination with Fryderyk Chopin, in the article “Chopin movement music to ears of Polish tourism officials.” Below is an excerpt: “We see that people feel a connection with Chopin that is almost religious,”…Continue Reading Chopin & Tourism
Starting on May 2, the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra is embarking on a concert tour of Asia. The ensemble will play 17 concerts at the La Folle Journée Festival in Japan, as is customary for the ensemble at this time of year. Also, for the first time in the history of the ensemble, the Orchestra will play three…Continue Reading Sinfonia Varsovia Asia Tour
Kraków Music Academy and Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing are jointly organizing a series of concerts from April 20 until May 5. Concerts of the combined orchestras from these two music schools will be presented in Kraków, Vienna, Beijing and Tianjin. The Kraków concert was held at the Szymanowski Philharmonic Hall on April 23…Continue Reading Polish and Chinese Music Students Collaborate
New York-based Polish pianist Magdalena Baczewska recently made her San Francisco Symphony solo debut on April 25, 2015, stepping in last-minute for a sold-out performance of Tan Dun’s Banquet Concerto at the Davies Symphony Hall, with maestro Damian Ioro conducting. In May, Baczewska will return to Beijing, China, where back in October 2014 she performed with maestro…Continue Reading Baczewska in China
Chicago, IL With a Polish population second only to that of Warsaw, Chicago is a city that revels in Polish holidays – and May 3rd Constitution Day is no exception! This year Chicago’s May 3rd Parade celebrating the Polish Constitution of 1791 will be held on Saturday, May 2 starting at 11.30 AM, with the…Continue Reading 3rd of May Celebrations
Marta Marciniak (PhD – University at Buffalo, SUNY), who previously presented a paper on Polish punk music and the politics during the PMC’s Sounds from Behind the Iron Curtain: Polish Music after World War II Conference in April 2013, is currently seeking funding to attend a new conference on the subject of “Oral History in…Continue Reading ‘Oral History in Central-Eastern Europe’ Conference Fund