January – June, 2017 Anniversaries UNESCO proclaimed the year of 2017 as “Year of Kosciuszko” honoring the bicentennial of his passing in 1817. General Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746-1817) was a national hero in Poland and the US, a freedom fighter and military leader, and an ardent advocate for the rights of European serfs, African Slaves, Native…Continue Reading 2017 in Review Part 1
Independence Polonaise Competition Sinfonia Varsovia has announced a competition for Polish composers to write a gala polonaise commemorating the centenary of Poland’s independence. The submitted work for a full symphony orchestra should not exceed 10 minutes in length and there is no age limit for entrants. The three winning works will be performed during celebrations later…Continue Reading 100 Years of Polish Independence
‘Paderewski & World Politics’ Lecture Given the centenary of Poland’s Independence in 2018 and Paderewski’s important role in those historical events, PMC Director Marek Zebrowski has prepared an extensive lecture about “Paderewski and World Politics.” This lecture focuses on Paderewski’s political activities between 1910 and 1922, his role in the “Front Morges” political formation in Switzerland…Continue Reading PMC News
Polaczyk Premiere By Augustyn In NYC On Sunday, January 14 at Spectrum, a popular new music venue in New York City, Polish violinist Kinga Augustyn will present the world premiere of 3 Inks (2017), a work written by young Polish composer Jakub Polaczyk (b. 1983) for the performer. Entitled “Music of the 20th and 21st Century,” the program of Augustyn’s solo violin…Continue Reading January News
Poland Well Represented at ICMA 2018 For the 2018 International Classical Music Awards, the ICMA Jury has once more selected musicians and organizations that have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements. The independent and international jury has also chosen their favorites from 357 nominated audio and video releases. The list of all the winners is available in…Continue Reading January Awards
Paderewski & Stojowski By Plowright & Borowicz Polish Music for Piano and Orchestra Paderewski: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 and Série de morceaux, Op. 16; Stojowski: Rapsodie Symphonique, Op. 23 Jonathan Plowright (piano); Sinfonia Iuventus; Łukasz Borowicz (cond.) Warner Classics 9029578756 (Nov 3, 2017) “Any new Jonathan Plowright recording is a cause for celebration, even more…Continue Reading January Discography
Edward Leon Rowny, a retired U.S Army Lieutenant General, died on December 17, 2017. He was 100 years old. A commanding officer in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Gen. Rowny served as military advisor to five U.S. presidents and was one of the negotiators of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Born in Baltimore, MD on…Continue Reading Lt. Gen. Edward Leon Rowny Obituary
A-Ż Festival in Łódź The fifth A-Ż Festival in Łódź was held Nov. 24-Dec. 9, 2017. All nine concerts were presented at the Concert Hall of the Łódź Music Academy. Living up to the billing, this Festival presented a wide range of programs and performers, beginning with the opening concert that featured film music written for the…Continue Reading January Festivals