Piotr Beczala, a rapidly rising star in the opera world, gave an all-opera recital in Santa Monica to the delight of a nearly sold-out house at the Broad Stage on December 12, 2016. He was accompanied by a 43-member opera orchestra – perhaps a bit of overkill in a 500-seat house. But no matter; the orchestra played…Continue Reading Review: Beczała at the Broad Stage in LA by Charles Bragg
Herdzin K – Suita na tematy polskie / Suite on Polish Themes Krzysztof Herdzin: Assertive Prelude; Nonassertive Toccata; Three Crowns; Suite on Polish Themes: Polka; Suite on Polish Themes: Olender; Suite on Polish Themes: Mazurek; Suite on Polish Themes: Krakowiak; Suite on Polish Themes: Polonez; Suite on Polish Themes: Zbojnicki Academy of St. Martin in…Continue Reading Herdzin on Decca
Charles Richard-Hamelin: Chopin (Blue Series) Frédéric Chopin: Nocturnes, No. 17 in B, Op. 62/1; (27) Etudes, E minor, Op. 25/5; (27) Etudes, C minor, ‘Revolutionary’, Op. 10/12; (4) Ballades, No. 3 in A flat, Op. 47; (16) Polonaises, No. 7 in A flat, Op. 61, ‘Polonaise-fantaisie’; Waltzes, No. 8 in A flat, Op. 64/3; (16)…Continue Reading New Richard-Hamelin Chopin CD Released by NIFC
Wendy Lands – Władysław Szpilman Piosenki Songbook Songs of Władysław Szpilman: Fall in love again, Turn away, I wish you’d ask to dance with me, Dancing with Antonio, Someday we will love again, Without you, I’m set free, True and tender, Smoke and mirrors, Prisoners of evening, My memories of you, and Hold me a…Continue Reading Szpilman’s Songs Re-visited
CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No 1. Ballades Frédéric Chopin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1; and 4 Ballades (No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23; No. 2 In F Major, Op. 38; No. 3 In A Flat Major, Op. 47; and No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52) Seong-Jin Cho, piano; London Symphony Orchestra with…Continue Reading Seong-Jin Cho Records for DG
Between January 5 – 7, the Polish American Historical Association (PAHA) will hold its 74th annual meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver to discuss the winners of its annual awards. The meeting is held in association with the American Historical Association’s 131st Annual Meeting on the subject of “Historical Scale; Linking Levels of…Continue Reading PAHA Awards
Marlena Wieczorek, president of MEAKULTURA Foundation and chief editor of meakultura.pl, has received a creative scholarship from The Minister of Culture and National Heritage for her work The Lexicon of Polish Emigrant Composers (1918-2000). The project aims to document and popularize knowledge about the artistic heritage and life of Polish emigré composers. The Lexicon is comprised of two parts:…Continue Reading MKiDN Creative Scholarship for Wieczorek
On January 5, 2017, the XXV Laurels Gala of Skill and Competence will be held at the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio (NOSPR) in Katowice. This year, Piotr Beczała will join the circle of winners and will perform under the baton of the excellent conductor Marc Piollet. The program includes Recitativo of Stefan and the famous Aria z kurantem from The Haunted Mannor by Stanislaw…Continue Reading XXV Nospr Laurels Gala
This 14th edition of the Tadeusz Ochlewski Composition Competition resulted in two ex aequo special prizes by the decision of the jury. The honorable distinctions were awarded to Marcin Antkowiak for his Connexion and to Aleksander Słyz for the piece Glossy. The main theme of this year’s competition was a piece for the double bass and electronic layer. The members of the jury – Aleksandra Gabryś…Continue Reading XIV Ochlewski Composition Competition Winners
The nominees for the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on December 6, 2016. Polish classical music and musicians were well represented on the list (see below, which focuses primarily on music from the US. The 2017 Grammy Awards will air live on CBS on Sunday,February 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET. James Corden will host the event,…Continue Reading 2017 Grammy Nominations