A Summary by Marek Zebrowski Administered by the annual Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles and its partners in Poland, this year’s Youth Cultural Exchange Program was held from June 27 until July 13, 2025. Two California students—winners of the Festival’s Youth Piano Competition, held annually in Paso Robles—travelled for well over two weeks of concerts,…Continue Reading 2025 Paderewski Festival Cultural Exchange Program in Poland
Presented on the evening of October 19 in USC’s Newman Recital Hall, the PMC’s 2025 Paderewski Lecture-Recital will explore the artistic and intellectual legacy of Szymon Laks (1901-1983). A Paris-based Polish composer, writer and philosopher, Laks’s music uniquely balances elements of French modernism, Polish folk music and American jazz. Guest lecturer Dr. Grzegorz Mania (pictured…Continue Reading Save the Date for the 2025 Paderewski Lecture Recital!
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of composer Rafał Zapała. Born in 1975, he was a vital part of Poland’s musical community—an esteemed colleague and friend to many. Known for his boundless creativity and tireless activity, he contributed to numerous collaborative projects and was an important figure on the contemporary…Continue Reading Rafał Zapała (1975–2025)
The upcoming 2nd edition of the IMAGINE – Culture Without Borders Festival, taking place from August 14 to 17, 2025 in Kazimierz Dolny in Poland, will bring together artists from around the world for a series of concerts and exhibitions highlighting intercultural dialogue through the arts. The festival program features a wide range of performances,…Continue Reading ‘IMAGINE – Culture Without Borders’ 2025 Festival
In early July, an album devoted entirely to the works of Marta Ptaszyńska was released on the Naxos label. Entitled “M. Ptaszyńska: Double Concerto / Concerto grosso / SE-TA” (Naxos 8.579173), the album includes the following of composer’s works: According to the composer, “it is an excellent performance with outstanding soloists and excellent orchestra of…Continue Reading Ptaszyńska’s Music on Recordings and Stage
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., acclaimed Polish jazz vocalist Aga Zaryan will appear live in concert at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood, California. Presented by the Paderewski Music Society and Moonrise Press, this special event marks the first public performance of material from Picking Up the Pieces 2, Zaryan’s upcoming album featuring…Continue Reading Aga Zaryan in Concert – August 9, LA
The 48th Karol Szymanowski Music Festival will take place in Zakopane, Poland, from July 25 to August 3, 2025, with this year’s edition centered around the theme of the fugue. The program, curated by Artistic Director Piotr Sałajczyk, highlights Szymanowski’s Symphony No. 2, featuring a final fugue movement to be performed by the Beethoven Academy…Continue Reading 2025 Karol Szymanowski Music Festival
Our friend Dr. Andrzej Brylak from the USC Dornsife Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures shared with us a great video introducing the Polish language program at USC. Polish classes at USC are small, engaging, and packed with opportunities. From your very first day, students start speaking and exploring Poland’s literature, film, and history. Watch…Continue Reading Polish Classes at USC
We’re excited to share the recordings from the 2025 Polish Music Center Spring Concert, which are now available on YouTube. This year’s concert, held on March 29 in USC’s Newman Recital Hall, featured the internationally acclaimed AKA Duo—violinist Seina Matsuoka and pianist Yuto Kiguchi. Dedicated to exploring Polish repertoire, the AKA Duo has built a…Continue Reading 2025 PMC Spring Concert Recordings with AKA Duo
Anna Czajka is a world-renowned preservation specialist at the Archive Conservation Laboratory of the Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych [Central Archives of Historical Records, or AGAD]. Czajka is a longtime colleague of the PMC as well. She has been a crucial participant in the 10+ year collaboration between the PMC and the Head Office of the…Continue Reading Anna Czajka Awarded for Cultural Heritage Preservation