“Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the State always change with them.” Although one may think of this quote as an appropriate and incisive comment on a recent concert at the Poznańska Wiosna Muzyczna [Poznań Musical Spring] Festival, these words were actually set…Continue Reading Stop the Music!
From April 23-30, numerous world premieres were presented in Kraków during the 29th International Festival of Kraków Composers (formerly known as Days of Music by Kraków Composers). The annual Festival aims to promote and present contemporary works by Kraków composers of all ages, through concerts, meetings with composers, and lectures by music theorists of the Academy of Music…Continue Reading World Premieres Festival of Kraków Composers
Poland’s Constitution Day, May 3, will be celebrated in Opole with a “Day Of Polish Music” concert commemorating the 226th anniversary of this historically important document as well as the 96th anniversary of the Silesian Uprising. The Opole Philharmonic will perform Bolesław Szabelski’s Toccata (from his Suite, Op. 10), with works by Chopin (Fantasia on Polish Airs, Op. 13)…Continue Reading Constitution Day Concert in Opole
Also on April, a concert of contemporary music organized by the Ensemblage Foundation took place in the Austrian Forum of Culture in Warsaw. The concert was part of the “Perspectives” series, which aims to promote contemporary music and performers specializing in it. The “Perspectives” series is the outcome of the international friendship of members of the young generation…Continue Reading ‘Perspectives’: Austrian/Mexican/Polish/Italian Premieres
The Wrocław Opera will celebrate May 3 Constitution Day with a premiere of Włodek Pawlik’s cantata Myśląc “Ojczyzna” [Thinking “Homeland”], a kind of musical travel through the history of Polish music. According to the composer, “My vocal works describe such historical figures as Mieszko I and Dobrawa, Queen Hedwig, Zawisza Czarny, King Jan III Sobieski and his consort, Marysieńka. But…Continue Reading Pawlik’s Cantata in Wrocław
On April 27, the premiere of Wings Concerto for two flutes and chamber orchestra by Paweł Łukaszewski took place at the Polish Baltic Philharmonic. Performers included the Fryderyk Chopin Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdańsk, under the baton of Vladimir Kiradijev, with renowned flute soloists Agata Kielar-Długosz and Łukasz Długosz. The Premiere was part of the gala ceremony celebrating the Pomeranian Artistic Awards, during…Continue Reading Łukaszewski World Premiere
On April 23 and 24, two premieres by Marta Ptaszyńska happened around the world. First at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art on April 23, master percussionist and founding member of Eighth Blackbird Matthew Duvall and guests presented the program “Whisper(s),” an exploration of sound and volume inspired by Merce Cunningham and his collaborating partner, composer John Cage. From the MCA website:…Continue Reading Ptaszyńska Premieres
On May 12, the Kolberg Świętokrzyskie Philharmonic in Kielce will host the world premiere of a new work they commissioned from their composer-in-residence, Ignacy Zalewski. The work is entitled Concert Overture, and will be paired with Camille Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto (with solo performed by cellist Marcin Zdunik) and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique.” The Świętokrzyskie Philharmonic will be led by…Continue Reading Zalewski Premiere
The 8th edition of Musica Electronica Nova – International Festival of Electroacoustic Music (MEN) will take place from May 19-27, 2017, under the subtitle “Identity” at the National Forum of Music (NFM) in Wrocław. Sonosphere III and Sonosphere IV for orchestra and electronics, composed by the artistic director of the festival, Elzbieta Sikora, will be world premiered during the festival by computer and electronic…Continue Reading World Premieres at Musica Electronica Nova
From Nancy Matulich, we received a booklet entitled “European Press Notices 1899 for Paderewski.” This very interesting and unique publication was found in the contents of an antebellum home in the west bank of New Orleans, in the section of town known as Algiers. The owner of the home is not known. This valuable historical…Continue Reading New Paderewski Donation