2017 Paderewski Festival Exchange in Poland

This June, as in all odd-numbered years since 2009, selected winners of the Youth Piano Competition administered by the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles travelled to Poland on the Festival’s International Cultural Exchange Program. Our partners in Poland—the Province of Tarnów and the Paderewski Center in Kąśna Dolna—once again provided the venue and accommodations for students from three regions around the world—California, Małopolska,…Continue Reading 2017 Paderewski Festival Exchange in Poland

Chopin on Orfeo

CHOPIN, F.: Etudes, Opp. 10 and 25  Fryderyk Chopin: 12 Etudes, Op. 10; 12 Etudes, Op. 25 Amir Katz Orfeo C922171A (May 12, 2017); Available on Amazon Israeli pianist Amir Katz has been hailed by Pizzicato as “a pianist of intelligence and sensibility, and his set of Chopin Etudes is very personal, fresh and well sustained. It’s certainly a very honest interpretation, rewarding…Continue Reading Chopin on Orfeo

Lutosławski and Other Duos for Cello and Violin

Duos for Violin & Cello: Staśkiewicz & Koziak Zoltán Kodály: Duo op.7; Bohuslav Martinů: Duo nr.1, H.157; Witold Lutosławski: Bukoliki;  Maurice Ravel: Sonata Sarton 026-2 (June 2017) Two outstanding Polish musicians, Anna Maria Staśkiewicz and Bartosz Koziak, have prepared a program presenting the most interesting pieces written for rarely-heard duo: violin and cello. The album will be released with…Continue Reading Lutosławski and Other Duos for Cello and Violin

Polish-American Composers on Naxos

NOWAKOWSKI, M.: Blood, Forgotten Mark Nowakowski: String Quartet No. 1, “Songs of Forgiveness”; Blood, Forgotten; String Quartet No. 2, “Grandfather Songs”; A Usnijze mi, usnij [Lullaby: O Sleep for me, sleep] NAXOS 8.559821 (June 9, 2017) The people of Poland have lived through often impossible conditions over the last three centuries, and this album is Polish-American…Continue Reading Polish-American Composers on Naxos

SWR Presents ‘Polska’ for Choir

POLSKA : Choral Music – Szymanowski, K. / Penderecki, K. / Górecki, H. / Lutosławski, W.  Karol Szymanowski: Piesni kurpiowskie (Kurpie Songs); Krzysztof Penderecki: Veni creator; Song of Cherubim; Roman Haubenstock-Ramati: Madrigal; Henryk Mikołaj Górecki: Pięć Pieśni Kurpiowskich [5 Kurpian Songs], Op. 75; Witold Lutosławski: 10 Pieśni Ludowych Na Tematy Źołnierskie [10 Polish Folksongs on…Continue Reading SWR Presents ‘Polska’ for Choir

Łukaszewski on Warner

Paweł Łukaszewski: Motets Paweł Łukaszewski: Motette; Adoramus Te, Christe; Pater Noster; Psalmus 120; Beatus Vir, Sanctus Adalbertus; Nunc dimittis; Beatus vir, Sanctus Martinus; Psalmus 129; Ave Maria; Ave Maris Stella; Regina Caeli; Alleluia; Pięć żałobnych pieśni kurpiowskich [Five funeral kurpian songs]; Adventgebet Polish Chamber Choir, Jan Łukaszewski – cond. Warner Classics 9029583639 (June 30, 2017) “Łukaszewski’s…Continue Reading Łukaszewski on Warner

Lesser Known Festivals

Interested in summer music listening opportunities that are more off the beaten path? The Adam Mickiewicz Institute has taken a look at some lesser-known festivals in Poland that are definitely worth your while. Visit culture.pl/en/article/an-ultimate-guide-to-summer-music-festivals-in-poland to learn more. [Source: culture.pl]…Continue Reading Lesser Known Festivals

2017 Tauron Nowa Muzyka Festival

For 12 years the Tauron Nowa Muzyka Festival (July 6-9, 2017) has been combining post-industrial locations with futuristic sounds in Katowice. This Festival, which is considered to be one of the top musical events in Poland, presents the most interesting debuts and the greatest stars of modern electronic music, jazz, rock and hip hop every year. Since…Continue Reading 2017 Tauron Nowa Muzyka Festival

‘Sphere of Silence’ Festival 2017

It is already the fifth edition of the Strefa Ciszy [Sphere of Silence] Festival, a special concert series organized in one of the most beautiful gardens of Warsaw. For five consecutive Saturdays in July, on five open-air stages, listeners will hear various genres of music, from classical music and jazz to folk. Concerts for the youngest…Continue Reading ‘Sphere of Silence’ Festival 2017

Sinfonietta Festival 2017

From June 30 – July 4, the 3rd edition of Sinfonietta Festival took place in Kraków. This year’s theme was “Sinfonietta is a woman.” This five day long musical marathon hosted by the Sinfonietta Cracovia was dedicated to female instrumentalists, composers and muses—not only the ones who are widely known and valued, but also the ones who…Continue Reading Sinfonietta Festival 2017