Polish composer, pianist and music teacher Andrzej Nikodemowicz died at the age of 92 on January 28, 2017. Born in January 2, 1925 in Lviv, Nikodemowicz studied chemistry and composition at prestigious institutions in his hometown. He later went on to teach composition, music theory and piano at the Lviv Conservatory. In 1973, he was…Continue Reading Andrzej Nikodemowicz
On Jan. 21, Silesian String Quartetgave a concert at the NOSPRChamber Hall. The program celebrated Zbigniew Bargielski’s80th birthday and featured two of his chamber compositions: String Quartet No. 4 “Płonacy czas” [Burning Time] and Po drugiej stronie lustra [The Other side of the Mirror] for clarinet and string quartet. Known for his predilection for chamber music, Bargielski uses interesting formal…Continue Reading Bargielski Celebration
Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak and French-Italian tenor Roberto Alagna gave a recital on January 9, 2017 in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. The duo, who are not only acclaimed international soloists but also married to each other, brought their dynamic presence to the stage, performing some of the most beautiful French and Italian opera arias and…Continue Reading Kurczak and Alagna Shine in Paris
On January 31, pianist Radosław Sobczak performed a recital commemorating Karol Szymanowski’s 80th Death Anniversary in the Chamber Hall of the Warsaw Philharmonic, as a part of their Piano Masters Series. The program included Johann Sebastian Bach – Largo from Organ Sonata no. 5 in C major BWV 529 (version by S. Feinberg); Franz Schubert – Wanderer Fantasy in C major…Continue Reading Sobczak on Szymanowski
On January 8, the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra in Katowice (NOSPR) broke barriers and welcomed new audiences when they broadcasted their traditional New Year’s Concert online via YouTube. Audiences had the opportunity to hear well known and widely loved pieces by Viennese masters by simply navigating to the orchestra’s website or Polish Radio Channel…Continue Reading NOSPR on Live Stream
SORROW A reimaging of Górecki’s 3rd Symphony by Colin Stetson Colin Stetson: Alto, Tenor, Bass Saxophones; Contrabass Clarinet; Lyricon | Dan Bennett: Tenor, Baritone Saxophones; Clarinet | Greg Fox: Drums | Grey Mcmurray: Guitar | Gyda Valtysdottir: Cello | Justin Walter: Keyboards, EVI | Matt Bauder: Tenor, Baritone Saxophones; Clarinet | Megan Stetson: Voice |…Continue Reading Górecki Meets Metal
Krzysztof Penderecki Chamber Music Vol. II Violoncello Totale Krzysztof Penderecki: Capriccio per Siegfried Palm for cello solo (1968); Cadenza for cello solo (1983-84) Transcribed by Jakob Spahn; Per Slava for cello solo; Suite for cello solo (1994-2013); Serenata for 3 cellos (2008); Violoncello totale for cello solo (2011);Agnus Dei from Polish Requiem for eight cellos (2007);…Continue Reading New on DUX
SZYMANOWSKI, K.: Concert Overture / LUTOSŁAWSKI, W.: Cello Concerto / Symphony No. 4 Karol Szymanowski: Concert Overture, Op. 12 in E major op.12; Witold Lutosławski: Concerto for cello and orchestra, Symphony No. 4 Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gautier Capuçon – cello, Alexander Liebreich – cond. ACC-30388 (November 2016); Available on Amazon Under the direction of its Chief Conductor Alexander Liebreich, the…Continue Reading Szymanowski on Naxos
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, this year’s edition of the International Festival of the Wieniawski Brothers will be held February 10 – March 10 at the Lublin Philharmonic. The event is a tribute to Henryk and Józef Wieniawski, whose Semiramis Op. 52 for choir and orchestra will be premiered in the opening concert, along with Sergei Prokofiev’s…Continue Reading 4th International Festival of the Wieniawski Brothers
Lutosławski: Complete Piano Works Witold Lutosławski: Bukoliki [Bucolics] for solo piano; Two Studies for solo piano; Folk Melodies for solo piano; Three pieces for young people for solo piano; Invention (1968); An Overheard Tune; Sonata for piano Corinna Simon – piano AVI8553341 / Deutschlandradio Kultur (Mar 11, 2016); Available on Amazon Witold Lutosławski, one of the most important composers of the 20th century, was an excellent pianist. He and…Continue Reading Simon Plays Lutosławski