November 11, 2017 marks 99 years since Poland regained its independence after 123 years of foreign domination. At the Teatr Wielki–Polish National Opera, which had been a bastion of Polish culture when the nation lost its statehood, this poignant anniversary will be celebrated with music: Fryderyk Chopin’s and Karol Szymanowski’s early pieces resounding with youthful enthusiasm,…Continue Reading Polonia: From Chopin to Paderewski
The 11th International Composers’ Forum takes place at the Poznań Music Academy from November 8-9, 2017, and this year is focused on the voice in contemporary music. For the past ten years this gathering has provided an opportunity for connecting experienced composers and performers with younger generation of musicians. Besides a variety of lectures and panel discussions…Continue Reading Composers’ Forum in Poznań
The Krakow Branch of the Polish Composers’ Union [ZKP] has announced the 1st Krzysztof Penderecki International Competition for Young Composers. Composers from any country who will not be over the age of 35 at the moment of the Competitions closing are invited to take part. The subject o is a composition for flute, clarinet, violin, viola,…Continue Reading Penderecki Young Composers’ Competition
After a few years’ hiatus, the Kosciuszko Foundation has announced the 2018 Chopin Competition for Young Pianists. The age categories for young pianists include: Under 12, 13-15 and 16-18, with the categories determined by the age of the contestant as of March 3, 2018. The winners will receive cash prizes as well as opportunities to perform at the…Continue Reading KF Piano Competition Returns
The fifth annual series of master classes “Young AUKSO Philharmonic” will take place December 10-15, 2017 under the auspices of the AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of the Town of Tychy, the Gorczycki.pl Society and the Institute of Music and Dance. String players aged 16-30 are invited to submit their applications and selected participants will receive a…Continue Reading Aukso Fosters Young Talent
The Chopin Music University in Warsaw featured several world premieres during a November 5 concert of works by students and recent graduates of the composition department. The program featured Paweł Lasota’s work კვარტეტი for clarinet, violin, viola and cello that was inspired by Georgian culture, Robert Prokopowicz’s Wariacje na temat następstwa siedmiu dźwięków[Variations on a succession of seven tones] for piano, and Notturnofor harp…Continue Reading Premieres at Young Composers’ Concert
The “Obrazy z Conrada” [Images from Conrad] Festival celebrates the anniversary year of the great Polish author Józef Konrad Korzeniowski (1857-1924), known as Joseph Conrad and celebrated as one of the greatest writers in the English Language. On November 9 the Polish Society for Contemporary Music presented world premiere of Adam Porębski’s composition, Pierwsze dowództwo[The First Command], which was performed alongside…Continue Reading Porębski Premiere at Conrad Festival
On November 8, 2017, the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk presents the premiere of a new opera entitled Sad Ostateczny [The Last Judgement] by composer Krzysztof Knittel with a libretto by Mirosław Bujko. The main roles are as follows: Memling (baritone) – Robert Gierlach; Arago (bass) – Piotr Lempa; Portinari (counter-tenor) – Jan Jakub Monowid; Katarzyna Tanagli (soprano) – Anna Mikolajczyk….Continue Reading Knittel Premiere
Patrons and concertgoers who attend the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles may know of Ignacy Jan Paderewski’s former estate in Kąśna Dolna, which he owned between 1897 and 1903. Lovingly preserved, today this manor house and grounds are the only residence of this great pianist, politician and humanitarian that is still left standing. Paderewski left a generous legacy…Continue Reading Paderewski Monument in Ciężkowice
The 60th death anniversary of Artur Malawski was observed in Rzeszów with the October 2 conference and concert at the Chamber Auditorium of the Malawski Philharmonic Hall. Artists and authors as well as music faculty from Warsaw, Bydgoszcz, Kraków, Przemyśl and Sanok participated in the event. The festivities were also accompanied by an exhibit dedicated to Malawski…Continue Reading Malawski Honored in Rzeszów