America has had its Grammy Awards since 1959, when the first gala ceremony was held and, in 1995, Poland followed this fine example by instituting its own the Fryderyk Awards. Just like in America—where the Recording Academy recognizes the best achievements in the music industry— for the past twenty-six years Poland’s Recording Academy (known as…Continue Reading 2021 Fryderyk Award Nominations
Although Szymon Laks (1901-1983) wrote five string quartets, the first two, composed before World War II, are now lost. Laks survived the Holocaust and his internment at Auschwitz only thanks to music, since he served as the concertmaster and music director of the concentration camp orchestra. In recent years, Laks’s String Quartets no. 3, 4…Continue Reading Agnieszka Duczmal and Anna Duczmal-Mróz Lead Laks Recording
The world premiere of Martyna Kosecka’s Concerto for clarinet, multi-percussion and string orchestra, as well as works by Witold Lutosławski and Andrzej Krzanowski, made up the program of the February edition of the “Resounds. New Polish Music” series on 27 February 2021. A pre-concert meeting with Martyna Kosecka, Szymon Bywalec and Magdalena Stochniol (music theorist)…Continue Reading Resounds Online–Kosecka Premiere
Works by Polish composers – Józef Elsner, Fryderyk Chopin, Aleksander Tansman, Witold Lutosławski, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, and Władysława Markiewiczówna – will be performed by Książek Piano Duo at the Warsaw Philharmonic on 9 March 2021. The concert as part of the “Stage for Polish Music” program is co-organized by the Warsaw Philharmonic and the Institute of…Continue Reading “Stage for Polish Music”: Książek Piano Duo at Warsaw Philharmonic
On 5 March 2021, the Krakow Philharmonic hosted a prologue to the 2nd Szymanowski / Poland / World Festival. At this prologue concert, audiences were treated to a performance of Karol Szymanowski‘s Stabat Mater, Op. 53 by the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, under the baton of Antoni Wit. The orchestra was joined by soloists…Continue Reading 2nd Szymanowski / Poland / World Festival: Prologue
The ongoing “Distinguished Lectures” series is being offered by the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. During 2021, the lectures will be inspired by the opening of the Legacy Gallery, which is an extension of the Core Exhibition of the POLIN Museum. The Legacy Gallery explores the contributions of Polish Jews…Continue Reading Online Lecture on Polish Jewish Music by Prof. Halina Goldberg
Watch the broadcast here: www.thorntonlive.usc.edu On 20 March 2021, the Polish Music Center at the USC Thornton School of Music will recognize the tenth anniversary of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki‘s death last November. Due to pandemic restrictions on public performances, the annual Polish Music Center Spring event will be held online, in a one-time broadcast on the…Continue Reading 2021: Remembering Górecki—A Discussion and Film Screening
The 25th edition of the Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival began 20 March and will continue to offer programming until 2 April 2021. The concerts are live-streamed online to the public. The festival events are also broadcasted by Polish Radio 2. The festival’s theme – “Beethoven and Penderecki. The Sphere of Sacrum” – defines the…Continue Reading 25th Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival
Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music welcomed this season with a truly spring-like event: the 8th Krakow Cello Spring. On 21 March 2021, the festival was held online. This annual event, organized by the Cello and Double Bass Department, has gained a significant position and a group of fans over the years. This year, the concerts…Continue Reading 8th Krakow Cello Spring