Roman’s Musical Pilgrimage Wojciech Maciejewski, brother of composer and pianist Roman Maciejewski (1910-1998), has been a faithful friend of the Polish Music Center and a frequent donor of scores and other materials pertaining to his older brother. Wojciech Maciejewski’s latest donation is a hardcover biography, RomanMaciejewski, authored by Marek Sołtysik and published by the Państwowy…Continue Reading Recent Donations To The PMC
William E. Thomson, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Thornton School of Music, sent us six rare photographs from Witold Lutosławski’s first visit to the Polish Music Center in 1985. Taken during a meal in an unspecified location, the pictures show Witold Lutosławski, his wife Danuta, and the founders of the Polish Music Center—Dr. Stefan…Continue Reading Rare Photos Of Lutosławski
Beloved Polish singer and friend of the PMC Anna Jurksztowicz has donated a copy of her recent contemplative exploration of ‘music of the soul’ from many different countries and traditions. The album Poza czasem – Muzyka duszy [Out of Time – Music of the Soul] is a result of her collaboration with Californian music…Continue Reading Music Of The Soul
On April 12, during the final concert of the 2014 Musica Polonica Nova festival, composer and vocalist Agata Zubel had declared the winner of the Polonica Nova prize for her 2010 composition entitled Not I for voice, instrumental ensemble and electronics with text of Samuel Beckett. The jury, chaired by Szymon Bywalec, found Agata Zubel’s…Continue Reading Zubel Wins Polonica Nova Prize
Adrian Thomas, a leading authority on Polish music, was recently awarded the Golden Gloria Artis medal for his outstanding contribution to the study and promotion of Polish music. Poland’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Witold Sobków, decorated Professor Thomas at London’s Royal Festival Hall at a ceremony accompanying the world premiere of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s…Continue Reading Gloria Artis for Adrian Thomas
The voting results of the 1,200-member Polish Phonographic Academy were announced on April 24 during the gala award ceremony at the Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw. An honor similar to the American Grammy Awards, the 2014 Fryderyk trophies were awarded in 34 categories of popular, classical and jazz music. Winners in Classical Music: Artist of the…Continue Reading 2014 Fryderyk Awards
The second International Opera Awards took place on April 7, 2014 in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Highlights of the evening included a surprise performance from Male Singer of the year, winner Stuart Skelton. Intended to be an honor similar to the ‘Oscars’ for film, the annual ‘Operas’—as they are unofficially called by audiences—are global in…Continue Reading Opera Oscar For Poland
The Symphony No. 4 of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki was given its World Premiere on April 12 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The London Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Andrey Boreyko. This posthumously-premiered work was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with generous support from the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic…Continue Reading Górecki’s Fourth Lauded
The recent World Premiere of Górecki’s Fourth Symphony continues to invite comments and analyses from various quarters. Many interesting details emerge, especially pertaining to the role of Górecki’s son, Mikołaj, in completing and successfully helping to introduce his father’s unfinished work to the public. Read more at commdiginews.com/entertainment/revisiting-gorecki-part-2. Also of interest is an extensive interview…Continue Reading Górecki’s Fourth Inspires Deeper Investigation
Many new works by Polish composers will receive their world premieres at festivals in Poland during the month of May. Below is a list of the premieres at prominent Festivals. Warsaw Music Encounters (May 10-17): Premiering soloists:Agata Szymczewska, Jarosław Bręk, Łukasz Długosz, Marek Bracha, Magdalena Bojanowicz, Leszek Lorent, Maciej Bogumił Nerkowski, Grzegorz Skrobiński Works premiered:…Continue Reading Festival Premieres In May