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Polish Music Newsletter |  |
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January 2005, Vol. 11, No. 1. ISSN 1098-9188. Published monthly. Anniversaries |
Awards | Calendar of Events | Chopin Year | Festivals |
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THE STOJOWSKI COLLECTION ARRIVES
 Stojowski, with handwritten music quotation, ca. 1910. Thanks to the generosity of Henry Stojowski and his family, the Sigismond & Luisa Stojowski Collection has been donated to the Polish Music Center at USC. Having battled delays in its travels across the U.S, the Collection finally arrived safe and sound on 27 December 2004. The Collection includes manuscripts and personal papers of the great Polish romantic composer, Sigismond Stojowski (1870-1946). The Polish Music Center welcomes the opportunity to popularize this beautiful but little known music. To learn more about this fascinating composer, visit our Polish Music Journal of Winter 2002, vol. 5, no. 2. PMHS VOL 8 NOW AVAILABLE!
 A Well-researched Study of a Long-forgotten Composer
Among the list of Polish composers of the inter-war era, the name Józef Koffler does not readily come to mind. Yet, during the late 1920s and the 1930s, his music was well known and frequently performed throughout Poland and Europe. Koffler's historic significance lies in the fact that he was the first Polish composer to apply Schoenberg's twelve-note technique in his opus and to do so in a strikingly original way, successfully combining folk elements and neo-classical forms throughout his small but fascinating catalogue of compositions.
The eminent Polish musicologist, Maciej Goł±b, in his Józef Koffler: Compositional Style and Source Documents, has written a definitive study of Koffler's life and work. The first part of the book traces Koffler's musical development, beginning with his youthful creations in the late romantic style that was quickly abandoned in favour of serial techniques in works like Musique de Ballet, Op. 7; Musique. Quasi una sonata, Op. 8; and 15 Variations d'après une suite de douze tons, Op. 9, all dating from the late 1920s.
Koffler was also a symphonist, with four highly original and widely acclaimed essays in this form. Author of chamber works, a brilliant Piano Concerto, a small number of vocal-instrumental works, and stage music, Koffler's output was partially published by Universal Edition in Vienna, where he studied following his service in the Austrian and Polish armies during World War I. His activities as professor of music at the Lwów Conservatory of the Polish Music Society and his extensive music journalism are well-documented in Maciej Goł±b's book. Koffler's correspondence with members of the Second Viennese School, his tireless promotion of the avant-garde music in Poland (he organized numerous concerts in Lwów, featuring such luminaries as Bela Bartók, Eduard Steuermann, and Hermann Scherchen) are well-researched and attractively presented.
Koffler's tragically short life—together with his wife and child he was executed by the Nazis in 1944—is movingly described by his researchers and friends. Maciej Goł±b's book also cites numerous sources on the composer and contains a bibliography of Koffler's articles on all sorts of musical topics. The first complete catalogue of Koffler's compositions (listing several titles that are now considered lost) and a calendar, detailing Koffler's life, activities and reception of his works complete this invaluable research tool for all interested in this fascinating composer. A CD recording included with the book is an added bonus, giving inspiring examples of Koffler's music that still awaits its long-overdue revival.
For ordering information, see http://www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/pmhsbooks/historyser.html.
[MZ]
BAIRD DONATION
The pieces on the CDs include:
Four Love Sonnets (version II) for baritone, strngs and harpsichord; Colas Breugnon - an orchestral suite in the Old Style; Songs of Trouvers for mezzo-soprano/alto, two flutes and cello; Five Songs for mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra; Erotyki - six Love Songs for soprano and orchestra; Third Symphony for Orchestra (a world premiere recording); Elegy for Orchestra; Concerto lugubre for viola and orchestra; Voices from Afar - three songs for baritone and orchestra |
 
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki receives Honorary Doctorate from the Catholic University in Lublin, Poland. 
 
Aeolian's reproduction of Paderewski's Duo Art rolls on new double CD "Paderewski in Recital" by the Pianola Institute of London, thanks to efforts of Rita Rosenstiel, former director of the Paderewski Museum in Morges, Switzerland. 
Karol Rathaus: 2nd & 3rd Symphonies on Naxos.
Informative new web-site www.infochopin.pl inaugurated in February; to appear in 7 languages, including Chinese and Japanese.
PADEREWSKI SONGS PREMIERED
The Gregg Smith Singers, a mixed voice company of 16, has been captivating audiences around the world for over 40 years. The singers, who perform both contemporary and rarely heard older music, are also peerless performers of American choral music and are the most recorded choral group in the world with over 100 recordings on various labels. The group has received many honors, including three Grammy awards, and has conducted countless tours in the United States, Europe and the Far East. In addition to its busy performing schedule, the group also engages in major educational activity, through residencies, local inner city school programs and at the Adirondack Festival of American Music. KENNER PLAYS CHOPIN IN TX Since its inception in 1989, the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas has endeavored to bring performances of the highest quality to the people of South Texas. The Society has also provided opportunities for talented pianists to perform in South Texas and has sponsored piano competitions for young artists. In January, the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas presents famed Chopin interpreter, Kevin Kenner. Kevin Kenner is in demand all over the world for his spiritually profound interpretations of a wide range of repertoire, noted both for his originality and for his illumination of composers' styles. In 1990 he won the top prize, the People's Prize and the Polonaise Prize at the renowned International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and the bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, together with a special prize for his interpretation of Russian music. Further awards have included the International Terence Judd Award (1990), the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (1989) and the Gina Bachauer International Competition (1988). Kevin Kenner has since performed as soloist with world-class orchestras including the Hallé Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic, The Czech Philharmonic, the Belgian Radio and Television Philharmonic Brussels, the NHK Symphony of Japan, and in the US with the principal orchestras of San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, New Jersey, Rochester, Baltimore, St. Paul and many others. He has been invited to work with many renowned conductors, including Sir Charles Groves, Andrew Davis, Hans Vonk, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Kazimierz Kord, Jiri Belohlavek and Antoni Wit. 
His achievements have won him critical acclaim from all over the world. He has been praised as "one of the finest American pianists to come along in years" (Howard Reich, Chopinists such as Rubinstein, Benedetti-Michelangelii and Dinu Lipatti" (Winfried Wild, Schwaebische Zeitung, Germany). Adrian Jack of London's Independent describes one of Kenner's recitals as "...the best performance I have ever heard in the concert hall of all four of Chopin's Ballades". The Financial Times in London described Kenner as a "player of grace, subtle variety and strength, with a mature grasp of dramatic structure and proportion: in short, a grown-up musician nearing his peak." And the Washington Post recently proclaimed him "a major talent... an artist whose intellect, imagination and pianism speak powerfully and eloquently." The conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, who recorded with pianists such as Artur Rubinstein claimed Kenner's Chopin interpretations to be the most sensitive and beautiful he remembered. He has performed chamber music with the Tokyo String Quartet, the Endellion String Quartet, the Vogler String Quartet and the Panocha Quartet among many others. Along with his concert appearances, he has given master-classes for many years at the International Piano Festival in Krynica, Poland as well as in major centers in Japan and America. More recently he has been giving classes at the International Summer Music Academy in Krakow, Poland. For the last 4 years he has been a professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and his students have won prizes in international competitions. He has also been invited as a member of numerous music competitions this year including the International Chopin Competition in Asia, the International Halina Czerny-Stefanska Competition in Aomori, Japan, and the National Chopin Competition of the Chopin Foundation of the U.S. in Miami. Kevin Kenner has recorded the Chopin Scherzos as well as the Chopin Preludes (highly recommended by BBC Music Magazine) as well as a CD of piano works by Maurice Ravel. All of these CDs are planned for re-release in Europe and North America on the label "Dux" later this year. Last September he recorded the 2 Chopin Piano Concertos with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Poland under the direction of Antoni Wit which is now available in Japan under the Avex label and will shortly be released in DVD format.
OLES PLAYS WITH MAUPIN ENSEMBLE Bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz, known more commonly by the abbreviated moniker Oles, will join jazz legend Bennie Maupin in a concert at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. Spend the day exploring a grand movie palace, screening restored Vitaphone and Soundie shorts, enjoying a concert by local L.A. jazz masters, and mingling with incredible musicians as well as fellow jazz aficionados at a special artist reception hosted afterwards in the historic courtyard facing Hollywood Boulevard! Schedule of Events:
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 Maestro Tomasz Biernacki photographer: Tomasz Zakrzewski The competition's main focus is to find young and talented opera conductors, and help them to launch an international career by organizing a professional debut and CD recordings. The 2004 edition was held on 11-13 October. It was organized by the "Franco Capuana" Foundation under the auspices of the European Union. The candidates were judged by a Jury consisting of conductors, teachers and opera experts: Francesco De Masi (Chairman of the Jury), Josif Conta, Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli, Ivo Lipanovic and Teatro Lirico Sperimentale Artistic Director, Michelangelo Zurletti. Competitors were required to prepare La Traviataby G. Verdi. Thanks to his splendid and brave interpretation, Tomasz Biernacki, being the only one to conduct the opera from memory, has been chosen as the winner from among 30 conductors representing most European countries. The competition was held in Teatro Lirico Sperimentale, which was founded in 1947 by lawyer and musicologist Adrianno Belli. In 1992 the Theatre was given the "Kaleidoscope" prize by the European Union Culture Commission and in 1994 the "Premio Abbiati" was given by Italian music critics for "extraordinary contribution to the education of young performers for Italian opera". The Teatro Lirico Sperimentale is a part of the town's rich cultural life—the famous "Due Mondi" festival of theatre and music is held there every year. Sperimentale is also a world renowned school for opera singers, with the best Italian singers for teachers; its graduates sing on the most famous stages as La Scala, Opera di Roma or Zurich Opera. Tomasz Biernacki was born on July 5th, 1974 in Kraków. He graduated from Kraków Musical Academy in May 2000 with a diploma in orchestral conducting, having studied with Rafał Delekta. Three times he has been invited to participate in Helmuth Rilling's conducting masterclasses at the Internationale Bachakademie, and in 1999 he studied at the famous Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, with Gianluigi Gelmetti, Carlo Maria Giulini and Maurizio Dones. In May 2000 he accepted the post of conductor of the "¦l±sk" ensemble, a post he retained until the end of 2001. In September 2000 he was appointed the Musical Director and First Conductor of Musical Theatre in Gliwice, where he has conducted numerous musical, operetta and opera premieres.
KILAR HONORED BY SILESIAN VOIVODSHIP The annual Awards of the President of the Silesian Voivodship in the Domain of Culture as well as the Honorary Decorations for Services to the Silesian Voivodship were presented on 14 December 2004 at the Silesian Opera in Bytom. A solemn opening of the Concert Hall, restored after a fire, preceded the presentation of the awards. The Honorary Decorations for the Services to the Silesian Voivodship were received by: Wojciech Kilar, the composer, Andrzej Kalinin, the prose writer, journalist and literary and theatrical critic, Kazimierz Kutz, the film director, Henryk Konwiński, the choreographer and director at the Silesian Opera, Jacek Łumiński, the principal and artistic director of the Silesian Dance Theatre in Bytom, Dariusz Miłkowski, the Director of the Variety Theatre in Chorzów, Jerzy Moskal, the deputy director (dealing with the Centre of the Polish Stage-scenery) of the Silesian Museum, Adam Pastuch, the director of the "Silesia" Song and Dance Ensemble and Lech Szaraniec, the director of the Silesian Museum. The winners of the Prizes in the Domain of Culture included: Józef ¦wider (artistic award for the achievements in the field of composition), Marcin Dylla (Prize for the Young Composers for outstanding achievements in the domain of music) and the Silesian Quartet.
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CD REVIEWS | 
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STOJOWSKI'S PIANO TREASURES
Compositions by Sigismond Stojowski (1870-1946) are known today to but a few. Fortunately, signs of a well-overdue revival of music by this magnificent pianist and composer are slowly beginning to appear. Recently, the Hyperion Label and pianist Jonathan Plowright teamed up once again to feature Stojowski's piano music on their latest release. Plowright's previous recording of Stojowski's two piano concertos with the BBC Scottish Symphony (Hyperion CDA 67314) has garnered rave reviews from all quarters of the world. Now, Jonathan Plowright's considerable pianistic skills and his sensitive, probing musicianship are admirably applied to Stojowski's solo piano works. "Stojowski—Music for Piano" (Hyperion CDA 67437) is a wonderfully representative sample of this famous pianist and a respected pedagogue's opus for piano. Beginning with Stojowski's early piano miniatures (written during his studies in Paris with Léo Delibes), and moving on to his most famous Chant d'amour from Op. 10, this collection also includes some fascinating larger-scale works, like Fantasie Op. 38 and Variations et Fugue sur un thème original, Op. 42. Throughout the entire CD, Jonathan Plowright's playing is tender and virtuosic, providing a perfect companion to Stojowski's late romantic style. Plowright's admirable lyricism and his unerring sense of the musical line imbue the music's ardent emotions and grandiose climaxes with noble majesty. Equally, Plowright's pianistic bravura leads to a scintillating reading of Stojowski's Caprice from Deux Orientales, Op. 10, a great favorite of Józef Hoffman who kept it in his repertoire for over forty years.
 Plowright's superbly controlled touch makes the Steinway piano used for this recording sound every bit as rich and rewarding as the music. Excellent program notes by Joseph Herter provide a much needed historical and analytical background on Stojowski's life and work. A cover, featuring a painting by Józef Mehoffer (an almost exact contemporary of Stojowski) completes this highly recommended recording of music that must re-enter concert stages of the world once again. [MZ] BEST CLASSICAL CD OF 2004 The latest recording by Polish-American violinist Vincent P. Skowronski and Japanese pianist Saori Chiba, entitled "Skowronski Plays! Avec et Sans" has made the Chicago Daily Herald's "Best Classical CDs of 2004" list. This is fine follow-up to last year's Daily Herald designation of "Best Recording of The Year, 2003" (the duo's second consecutive award), which was bestowed upon S:CR-06, "Skowronski Plays! Beethoven - Live in Concert". According to the Herald:VINCENT P. SKOWRONSKI, concert violinist and Master Teacher of that instrument, once again provides evidence with his new LIVE recording, AVEC ET SANS, that a violin in the hands of a master musician can provide an aura of musical magic. So it is no surprise that Skowronski's technical mastery of the instrument along with his often mystical ability to communicate gleam forth from these performances. And, of course, what Skowronski recording would be complete without the collaboration of the magnificent Japanese pianist, SAORI CHIBA. A master teacher of the piano, Chiba is also active in the Chicago area as a recitalist, along with her busy schedule as a chamber music and vocal coach.For more information or to order, contact: Skowronski: Classical Recordings 1726 Sherman Ave. #2 Evanston, IL 60201-5619 Tel: (847) 491-9155 website: www.skowronskiplays.com email: skowronskirecordings@ameritech.net |
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CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES |
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CHOPIN AROUND THE WORLD
The program features the same works that were most likely performed in 1848, including works by: Mozart, whom Chopin greatly revered; Meyerbeer; Donizetti; and Bellini, who is buried beside Chopin at the Pčre-Lachaise cemetery, in addition to works by Chopin. The French and Polish performers for this reenactment included Tomasz Kuk (Poland), tenor; Olivier Charlier (France), violin; Olga Pasiecznik (Ukraine), soprano; Maciej Pikulski (Poland), piano; Henri Demarquette (France) - cello. For a full program of the concert, visit www.infolchopin.pl. GOMBROWICZ ACCORDING TO KRAUZE
LACC CELEBRATES WITH LUTOSŁAWSKI
On 19 December 2004, the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw premiered its production of Peter Tchaikovsky's Dama Pikowa [The Queen Of Spades]. The production, directed by Mariusz Treliński, featured scenery designed by Boris F. Kudlicka, costumes by Magdalena Tesławska and Pawel Grabarczyk, and choreography by Emil Wesołowski. The Orchestra of the Grand Theatre-National Opera was conducted by Kazimierz Kord, with soloists will including Krzysztof Bednarek, Paweł Wunder (Ghermann), Zbigniew Macias, Mikołaj Zalasiński (Count Tomsky), Artur Ruciłski, Adam Szerszeń (Prince Yeletsky), Ryszard Minkiewicz, Krzysztof Szmyt (Chekalińsky), Czesław Galka, Piotr Nowacki (Suryn), Rafał Bartmiński, Jacek Parol (Chaplitsky), Mieczysław Milun, Ryszard Morka (Narumov), Joanna Cortés, Malgorzata Walewska, Alicja Węgorzewska (The Countess), Lada Biriucov, Agnieszka Piasecka (Lisa, her granddaughter), Monika Ledzion and Małgorzata Pańko (Pauline, Lisa's friend). The public that gathered on 19 December, 1890, at the Maryinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg gave Tchaikovsky's The Queen Of Spades a very warm reception. This opera continues to be highly regarded to this day. Alongside Eugeniusz Oniegin [Eugene Onegin], it remains Tchaikovsky's most popular opera. It is the composer's crowning achievement in the field of operatic music and simultaneously one of the most outstanding operas in the history of Russian music. Exquisite vocal parts, colorful instrumentation that is both subtle and clear, a cohesive and coherent form achieved through the introduction of themes that enrich the main storylines, and finally a fundamentally good libretto have helped The Queen Of Spades become vastly popular throughout the world. A mood of sadness, tragic passion and extreme pessimism hangs over this work, much as it did over the composer in the latter years of his life, in spite of his ever greater artistic successes. This production was mounted in collaboration with the Staatsoper of Berlin. A second performance of the opera was offered on 21 December, 2004. |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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by Liliana Osses Adams
© California, December 2004 My interest in guitar comes from my husband playing the classical guitar. In Tehran, years ago, I had occasion to listen to the guitar players Siegfried Behrend, Julian Bream, Jean Pierre Jumez and Konrad Ragossnig. I have also experienced the most memorable performances of Andres Segovia in San Francisco (1979), and his last guitar recital in the United States, in Ann Arbor, Michigan (1986). Last week, November 19 and 20, 2004, I had the chance to listen Polish guitarist Marcin Dylla, the finalist at the Omni Master International Classical Guitar Competition in San Francisco, an international guitar prodigy, who was described as a "profound young artist", and who in the last years has won first prize in seventeen of the most prestigious international guitar contests taking place in Europe and in the USA. [LOA]The Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts was created nearly a quarter-century ago by internationally acclaimed guitarist Richard Patterson. He has studied with virtually all of the world's leading guitarists, including Andres Segovia. He received his Masters Degree in Music from San Francisco State University. He then initiated the guitar concerts "Dynamite Guitars" in San Francisco; now in its 24th season, this is one of the foremost guitar series in the world. This series, presented in San Francisco Herbst Theatre, has highlighted superb artists such as Pepe Romero, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Antigoni Goni, Xuefei Yang, John Williams and Leo Kottke, who will return by popular demand after his last season show at the Palace of Fine Arts. Dedicated to helping young artists, Richard Patterson also founded the San Francisco International Guitar Competition and Residency Program in 2002. The Competition was first presented in 2002 at the University of San Francisco. The Residency Program for the First Prize winner alternates on an annual basis with the Guitar Competition. The winners of 2002 were: 1st prize—Alieksey Vianna, Brazil; 2nd prize—Xuefei Yang, China; 3rd prize—Lydia Danihelova, Slovak Republic; 4th prize—Marco Tamayo, Cuba. The finalist from Ukraine, Galina Vale, surprised the audience with her amazing musical skills, her incredible technique and unusual stage presence. The 2004 San Francisco International Classical Guitar Competition entered a new phase this year with the Masters Guitar Competition. During two evenings four of the world's top young artists were presented, all having won multiple First Prizes in major international competitions and described as the stars of tomorrow. The 1st round of the Finals of the Second International Guitar Competition took place on November 19th at the University of San Francisco and the 2nd round took place on November 20th at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor Florence Gould Theater. During the competition, each player had a maximum of 30 minutes of stage performance. They had a free choice of repertoire from contemporary to classical works. They had two obligatory pieces to perform from the Book of the Unknown Standards—Monk-a-Ning and one other piece of their choice by Dusan Bogdanovic, who also served as one of the four jurors. After the two round finals the judges for the 2nd San Francisco International Master Classical Guitar Competition announced their decision at midnight. Thibault Cauvin, 20-year-old French guitarist, captured the first prize. During the 2005-2006 season he will return to San Francisco as the Artist-In-Residence at the Omni Foundation for Performing Arts, acting as an artistic ambassador, performing the concerts in San Francisco Bay Area and working on outreach programs at schools and local communities. The judges also stated that all finalists were excellent, they all performed exquisitely and they declared a tie for second place between Marcin Dylla from Poland and Flavio Sala of Italy. Third place went to Anabel Montesinos, the 18-year-old guitarist of Spain, who performed as soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Lublin, in Poland, during the 9th Guitar Festival, Lublin, 2004. During first round finals, Marcin Dylla performed the following program: Johann Kaspar Mertz's Bardenklänge: Romanze, Unruhe, Liebeslied, Tarantella; the obligatory piece by Dusan Bogdanovic Monk-a-Ning and Twelve-note Samba from Bogdanovic's Book of the Unknown Standards, and Five Bagatelles for Guitar by William Walton. In the 2nd round finals he performed the Sonata para Guitarra by Antonio Jose and Sonata Giocosa by Joaquin Rodrigo. Marcin Dylla's beautiful, mellow-sounding guitar was crafted by the Spanish luthier Manuel Contreras (Model 10° Aniversario).
 Marcin Dylla Photo courtesy of Daria Dylla, December 2004 Many music critics and music lovers consider Marcin Dylla one of the most outstanding classical guitar players. He has played concerts at Schubertsaal-Konzerthaus and Musikverein-Brahmssaal in Vienna, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, the Hermitage Theatre in St.Petersburg, the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Turin, and Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, New York. He has performed as soloist with the Orchestra Filharmonica di Torino, St.Petersburg Philharmonic, the National Spanish Youth Orchestra of Madrid, and with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in the Concerto del Sul by Manuel Maria Ponce, conducted by JoANN Falletta. Dylla's international fame is confirmed by his accomplishments, especially his unparalleled number of competition awards. In 1996, he won his first prize at the International Guitar Competition of Edmund Jurkowski-"Silesian Autumn" in Tychy, Poland. From that time, the impressive list of first prizes at international guitar competitions includes: Tredrez-Locquemeau, France, 1997; the "Karl Scheit", Vienna, Austria, 1998; Liechtenstein, 1999; Alcoy, Spain, 2000; Gargnano, Italy, 2000; the "Gitarre Forum", Vienna, Austria, 2001; Sernancelhe, Portugal, 2001; Alassandria, Italy, 2002, where he also received the "chitarra d'oro" ("gold guitar"), the award granted by musical critics for the best young guitar player; the "Joaquin Rodrigo", Madrid, Spain, 2002; Almeria, Spain, 2002; Crete, 2002; the H.R.H. Princess Cristina Competition, "Jacinto & Inocencio Guerrero", Madrid, Spain, 2002; Markneukirchen, Germany, 2003; the "Rene Bartoli", Aix-en-Provence, France, 2003; the "JoANN Falletta", Buffalo, N.Y., USA, 2004; the "Printemps de la Guitare", Charleroi, Belgium, 2004. Marcin Dylla's artistic life leads him on many concerts tours, music festivals, master classes, and recordings. In 1989 he recorded Polish Guitar Music (Settembrini, Poland). In 1998 he released his album of Polish Music for Guitar by Jerzy Bauer, Feliks Horecki, Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz, Edmund Jurkowski and Aleksander Tansman, hoping to offer it for sale on the Internet. In 2003 he recorded the Sonatas for Guitar by Manuel Maria Ponce, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Leo Brouwer (RTVE-Música Clásica, Casa de la Radio, Madrid, Spain). In 2004 he received a recording contract with Fleur de Son Classics. The organization "Polonia Global Fund" (PGF) in Albany, N.Y. and Polonia in America honored Marcin Dylla as the Person of the Month of July 2004. Recently, as jury member for the Alhambra International Guitar Competition in Alcoy, he said that for him every competition is a festival concert, and that his main purpose is to play well before an appreciative audience and for the judges to recognize his performance. Asked if he plans to participate in other competitions, he answered that he would like to take part in two more competitions outside of Europe, perhaps Viña del Mar in Chile or in Tokyo. We wish Marcin Dylla all the best in his endeavors and the fulfillment in his work and his life.  Marcin Dylla en route. Photo courtesy of Daria Dylla, December 2004 |
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BORN THIS MONTH:
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MAREK STACHOWSKI
Marek Stachowski, professor, composer, and administrator, died in Kraków on 3 December, 2004. Prof. Stachowski was an accomplished composer and a friend of the Polish Music Center, having donated several manuscripts to our collection. In addition to his compositional work, he was a respected professor throughout the world and, since 1993, held the position of rector at the Music Academy in Kraków. The Academy honored his memory with an inspirational concert on 16 December, featuring music by Albrechtsberger, Bach, Mozart and Rodrigo. |
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PMC Newsletters
Copyright 2005 by the Polish Music
Center
Send your comments and inquiries to: polmusic@usc.edu
Newsletter Editor: Krysta Close.
Madame Alina Baird, a long-time supporter of PMC, donated the latest 2-CD set with works by her late husband, Tadeusz Baird. This comprehensive CD set was published by Polskie Nagrania in 2003 and is entitled simply "Dzieła" [Works].
On December 19 at the 
On 8 November 2004 a concert entitled "L'Hommage à Krystyna Moszumańska-Nazar" took place at the Embassy of the Polish Republic in Paris. There Polish composer 
On December 16th Lang Lang, one of the most sought-after pianists in the world, was accompanied by WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya at Kölner Philharmonie in Koln. The program included Chopin's Piano Concerto no. 1 in e minor.
JAN 8 & 9: Jouyssance Early Music Ensemble presents a special night of sacred seasonal music and carols from Mediæval and Renaissance Eastern Europe, representing traditions from Poland, the Czech lands/Bohemia, Cyprus, Slovenia, and Byzantium. 8:00 pm. St. Paul's Lutheran Church (8th) & Church of the Angels (9th) in Los Angeles, CA.