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Polish Music Newsletter |  |
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March 2011, Vol. 17, No. 32. ISSN 1098-9188. Published monthly. Obituary | Performances | PMC News | Remembering Wiktor Labunski, cont. Back to PMC Home Page | PMC Newsletter Archive
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PMC NEWS |
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POLISH MUSIC: THE NEW GENERATION
On March 26, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in USC’s Newman Recital Hall, the Polish Music Center will present a concert featuring trend-setters in Polish contemporary music. Members of what is generally referred to as the “Glissando Generation” (named after a Polish music periodical covering avant-garde music and art), Wojtek Blecharz, Mikołaj Górecki, Jarosław Kapuściński, Robert Pierzak, Ewa Trębacz, and Krzysztof Wołek represent a wide spectrum of musical styles and approaches. These young composers, who have already made their mark on the international scene with numerous commissions and performances of their works, will be present to discuss their music and their compositional process. The concert will be capped with a special performance by filmmaker David Lynch, appearing in a duet of free improvisations with pianist Marek Żebrowski. Other performers include: Josiah Boothby, French horn, Aurelien Eulert, piano, Eric Jacobs, clarinet, Yevgeniy Milyavskiy, piano, Sara Sumitani, piano, Amy tatum, flute.
Robert Pierzak is a composer and conductor who writes vocal, electronic, and instrumental music. He studied composition at Ithaca College and the Eastman School of Music with Mario Davidovsky, Phillipe Manoury, Robert Morris, Chinary Ung, Dana Wilson, and Gregory Woodward. Mr. Pierzak is currently in the PhD program in composition at UC San Diego. He is the recipient of the BMI Student Composer Award, the Howard Hanson Large Ensemble Prize, the Smadbeck Composition Award, and the Yale College Composer’s Group High School Composition Award. His music has been performed throughout the U.S. Mr. Pierzak’s composition, I’m Underwater for Piano Solo(2008) will be performed by pianist Yevgeniy Milyavskiy.
The admission to the concert is free and open to the public. Paid parking ($8) is available in Structure X on the USC campus. For more information please contact: Polish Music Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0851, or call 213. 821. 1356. E-mail: polmusic@thornton.usc.edu. See you there!
CD DONATION BY MAESTRO SMOLIJ In late February, we received a donation of several CDs featuring performances by Maestro Mariusz Smolij. The following CD albums have now been added to the Polish Music Center Library:
Maestro Smolij also included in his CD donation a recording released by the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City, featuring pianist Adam Makowicz and Sinfonia Varsovia in a concert of American music recorded at the National Theatre in Thank you for your gift of music, Maestro! |
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NEWS |
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PANUFNIK PREMIERE
Roxanna’s output also includes arranging and she has undertaken work for EMI (Han-Na Chang) and BMG (Lesley Garrett). In 1996 she reconstructed Dr Samuel Arnold’s 18th Century dialogue opera Inkle & Yarico premiered by its commissioners at Holders Season, Barbados with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. She has also worked for the BBC, as a researcher for television and radio.
[Sources: roxannapanufnik.com, chanticleer.org, compositiontoday.com]
NOSPR FESTIVAL OF PREMIERES
Other ensembles performing in the Festival include: the Aukso Chamber Orchestra from the City of Tychy, Silesian String Quartet, Polish Radio Choir from Kraków, and the Camerata Silesia vocal ensemble fromKatowice. Soloists include: Anna Sikorzak-Olek, Jurek Dybał, Rafał Kwiatkowski, Piotr Pławner, Dominik Połoński, and Tomasz Strahl, among others. Conductors include: Michał Klauza, José Maria Florêncio, Anna Szostak, Marek Moś and Szymon Bywalec. See the list of composers and works performed, as well as premieres as far as they are known, listed below. 25 March 2011 | Music Academy Concert Hall, Katowice
25 March 2011 | Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice
26 March 2011 | Music Academy Concert Hall, Katowice
26 March 2011 | Music Academy Concert Hall, Katowice
26 March 2011 | Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice 27 March 2011 | Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice
27 March 2011 | Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice
[Sources: nospr.org.pl, pwm.com.pl]
PENDERECKI STRING QTET PREMIERE GRELLA-MOZEJKO The March 12 concert features five member works all written since 2000 and demonstrate the breathtaking scope and audaciously rich expression of our music. The compositions include works by Darlene Chepil-Reid, Linda C. Smith, Ian Crutchley, Helve Sastok and will take the audience on a compelling (and often hair-raising!) ride through the vast expressive possibilities of the string quartet. Piotr Grella-Możejko’s work Acheron, written especially for this concert, will feature guest flutist Chenoa Anderson in an intensely vivid mix of strings, flute, electronics and video. Tonus Vivus is proud to continue its long association with The Penderecki Quartet and to offer Edmonton an incredibly memorable evening of music that will juxtapose the subtle and the extreme, the traditional and the unexpected.
[Source: press release]
PREMIERE OF SOFULAK’S LA TRAVIATA
A new production of Verdi's La Traviata—one of the most significant works in the operatic canon—featuring the directorial of debut of Karolina Sofulak premieres on March 5 at the Baltic Opera. Performers for the role of Violetta are Aleksandra Buczek, Iwona Hossa, Julia Iwaszkiewicz and Joanna Woś, and performing in the role of Alfredo are Paweł Skałuba andDariusz Stachura. According to a report by culture.pl:
March 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and June 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2011 [Sources: culture.pl, operabaltycka.pl, e-pomorskie.pl]
LUTOSŁAWSKI STUDIO AT RISK The governing board of Polish Radio had recently decided to rent the Lutosławski Studio S1 to the Kiepura Mazovian Musical Theatre for three years, starting in April. Many musicians, music lovers, critics and those who care about the use of this unique space have registered their strong opposition to this decision. Their petition on behalf of the Lutosławski Studio expresses belief that the rental of this space will cause the Public Radio untold damages resulting from the redecorations of the studio to suit the needs of a musical theatre group.
In addition, according to the petition’s authors, having another tenant in that space would lead to the practical eviction of the Polish Radio Orchestra that, under the baton of Maestro Łukasz Borowicz, had made the Studio S1 its home for many year. This ensemble and its artistic director have specialized in performing and recording the repertoire of lesser-known Polish composers. Letting out the S1 Studio to the Kiepura Musical Theatre would inevitably lead to the cessation of Polish Radio Orchestra’s much-valued activities. The petition can be signed electronically at: www.petycje.pl/petycjePodglad.php?petycjeid=6614 [Sources: polmic.pl]
WE ARE MORE CAMPAIGN
The we are more campaign was initiated by Culture Action Europe – the umbrella advocacy organization for the arts and culture in Europe. It is carried out in strategic partnership with the European Cultural Foundation. Culture Action Europe currently has over 100 members that together represent over 50,000 arts and culture players across Europe and beyond in more than 14 artistic disciplines. The campaign is run in an open source way, with tools on the campaign website that encourage and facilitate for the entire culture sector as well as individuals to get involved in and support the campaign. [Sources: wearemore.eu, polmic.pl]
I, CULTURE ORCHESTRA
The project strives to promote young musical talents across Western Europe. Those who make the cut are set to perform later this year at the most prestigious concert halls of Europe. Scheduled concert venues include Berlin Philharmonic (November 2), Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (November 4), Royal Festival Hall (November 6) in London and Teatro Real in Madrid (November 8). Other concerts are planned for the National Philharmonics of Warsaw, Minsk and Kiev.
[Sources: Adam Mickiewicz Institute via culture.pl, iam.pl]
NEW KISIELEWSKI BOOK
The launch of the volume on March 13, 2011, will include a special concert at the Lustosławski Studio Concert Hall in Warsaw. The concert will be carried live (7:00 p.m., local Warsaw time) by Polish Radio, Program 2. Several compositions by Kisielewski and his long-time friend, Grażyna Bacewicz will be featured on the program. The concert will be performed Sinfonia Varsovia, with maestro Jacek Kaspszyk as conductor and pianist Julia Samojło as featured soloist. Program: Grażyna Bacewicz – Overture; Stefan Kisielewski – Fairground Ballet Suite (Wesołe miasteczko); Stefan Kisielewski – Piano concerto; Stefan Kisielewski – Concerto for chamber orchestra; Adam Walaciński – Dramma e burla; Stefan Kisielewski – Cosmos I for symphonic orchestra In collaboration with the book’s author, the PWM Editions also organized an exhibit illustrating Stefan Kisielewski’s life and works. The virtual version of this exhibit can be found at: www.kisielewski.art.pl
[Sources: polmic.pl pwm.com.pl, sinfoniavarsovia.org]
ADVENTURES WITH WARSAW NATIONAL PHIL
In addition, a text section entitled Zapiski melomana [Diary of a Music Lover] covers all kinds of events—musical and extra-musical, amusing and amazing—but always linked to various adventures of the ensemble on the road. Grouped in enticingly-titled essays, this fascinating book deserves a detailed exploration. It goes on sale on March 15 at the Bolero Music Bookshop at the Philharmonic Hall and all music bookstores throughout Warsaw. [Sources: polmic.pl, filharmonia.pl]
30 YEARS OF THE SILESIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The Silesian Chamber Orchestra celebrated its thirtieth anniversary with a recent concert of works by Mieczysław Karłowicz, Edward Elgar, and Antonio Vivaldi. Additional performers included soloists Bożena Harasimowicz, Magdalena Witczak, Joanna Iwaszkiewicz, the Silesian Quartet, and the Silesian Philharmonic Choir, all conducted by Massimiliano Caldi. The performance was held in the concert hall of the Katowice Music Academy. Founded in 1981 by Karol Stryja, the ensemble was conducted for many years by composer and professor of music Jan Wincenty Hawel, who also served as the ensemble’s artistic director. 25 years later the baton was passed on to Maestro Caldi, who now serves as the principal guest conductor. The ensemble has 16 players and specializes in baroque, classical, and romantic music, but also includes music by the youngest generation of composers in their repertoire. The orchestra has toured Europe extensively, performing in over 180 concerts abroad, mainly in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Spain, and Italy. The Silesian Chamber Orchestra also recorded a number of albums, including music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Astor Piazzolla, and Krzysztof Komeda with pianist Waldemar Malicki. Their recording of Stanisław Moryto's Cello Concerto (DUX 0534) was nominated for the 2006 Fryderyk Award and their “Little Big Music” disc with works by Britten, Lutosławski, Holst, and Kilar received excellent reviews. Their latest recording included the world premiere recording of Aleksander Tansman’s Clarinet Concerto, featuring the French soloist, Jean-Marc Fessard, and Maestro Mirosław Błaszczyk. [Source: rmfclassic.pl]
ZUBEL ACROSS AMERICA Agata Zubel has been chosen as one of nine of the most exciting and innovative composers from around the world to be featured at San Franciso's 16th annual Other Minds Festival of New Music (February 27 – March 5). The prolific composer and vocalist will perform across the U.S. this month, starting off in Chicago and then heading west to Seattle and San Francisco [Sources: press release via culture.pl, otherminds.org, polishculture-nyc.org; Photo: Tomasz Kulak/OM pamphlet
SZYMANOWSKI AT NY PHIL
[Source: email, nyphil.org]
GÓRECKI – SACRED SOUNDS IN HARTFORD On Friday, March 11 Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 Sorrowful Songs will be performed at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT. The concert is held in memory of the composer, who died last November, and Pope John Paul II. It will be performed by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and world renowned soprano Paula Almerares. The Cathedral Choir will also sing Górecki’s motet Totus Tuus.
[Source: email, cathedralofsaintjoseph.com]
LATSABIDZE PLAYS CHOPIN'S 24 PRELUDES
On Sunday, March 27, pianist Giorgi Latsabidze will perform all of Frederic Chopin's 24 Preludes, op. 28, in his recital at USC's Newman Recital Hall in Los Angeles. In a concert commemorating commemorate the 200th birthdays of both Robert Schumann and Frederic Chopin, the program will also include Schumann's Kreisleriana, op. 16. Latsabidze is a former student of the USC Thornton School of Music and currently serves on the faculty of Azusa Pacific University’s School of Music. Giorgi Latsabidze is an international prize-winning concert pianist and composer of Georgian heritage. Latsabidze is one of the youngest pianists to have performed and recorded live all 24 of the Chopin Etudes and all 12 of the Transcendental Etudes of Franz Liszt. Learn more at Latsabidze's official website, www.latsabidze.com. [Source: press release, wikipedia.org, latsabidze.com]
BOCHENEK PLAYS MELODIES On Sunday, March 6, pianist Barbara Bochenek will present her graduation piano recital for the MFA program at the California Institute of the Arts. Entitled “Melodies by Gabriel Fauré: A Concert of French Art Songs,” the recital program will feature vocal works by Fauré. Other performers on the program are tenor Andrzej Stec, soprano Tory McKenna and Betsy Rettig.
[Source: Press release, calarts.edu]
TENSOR IN CONCERT
[Source: press release] |
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AWARDS |
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MYKIETYN WINS POLISH EAGLE
According to the Polish Music Information Centre in Warsaw:
The nominees for the Polish Film Awards are chosen by the members of the Polish Film Academy, headed by director Agnieszka Holland. Polish Film Awards: The Eagles take place under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and with support from the Polish Film Institute and organization by the Independent Film Foundation (Niezależna Fundacja Filmowa). The leading partner of the Polish Eagles is PWC. [Sources: filmneweurope.com, polmic.pl]
FRYDERYK 2011 NOMINATIONS
Artists who have made extraordinary contributions to Poland’s musical culture are honored every year with a Golden Fryderyk. It was announced that the Special Awards of the Golden Fryderyk will be given to Wojciech Młynarski in the Popular Music Category, and to Włodzimierz Nahorny in the Jazz Music Category. Jerzy Maksymiuk will receive the Special Golden Fryderyk in the Classical Music Category, joining such artists as Władysław Szpilman, Antoni Wit, Krystian Zimerman, Ewa Michnik, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, and Krzysztof Penderecki who were honored in the past. The entries eligible for the year 2011 cover albums published between December 1, 2009 and November 30, 2010, and must be entered either by the artist, the manager, the producer, or the recording company. [Source: polmic.pl]
GLORIA ARTIS
On February 22, 2011, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bogdan Zdrojewski, award Polish composer Paweł Łukaszewski with the Gloria Artis Bronze Medal for Merits to Culture, which is conferred for distinguished contributions to Polish art and culture. Łukaszewski is an active composer, pedagogue, and organizer of musical events in Poland. On March 1, 2011—Chopin’s 201st birthday—Minister Zdrojewski awarded Gloria Artis Golden Medals of Merit for “the Preservation of Fryderyk Chopin” during the closing ceremony of the Chopin Year at the National Philharmonic. Professor Mieczysław Tomaszewski—one of the most respected musicologists in Poland and a Chopin speicalist—was honored for popularizing the works of Chopin in Poland and beyond its borders. Due to illness, Prof. Tomaszewski was unable to receive his medal in person and instead it was accepted by his wife, Wanda Tomaszewska. The second Gloria Artis, a personal initiative of the Minister, was bestowed upon the Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw and the President of the Chopin 2010 Celebrations Committee, Waldemar Dąbrowski. This Golden Gloria Artis “Medal for Cultural Merit” was given in recognition of the unquestionable merits of the entire Chopin Society and Mr. Dąbrowski in particular in protecting and promoting the legacy of the Great Composer. [Source: lukaszewski.org.uk, polmic.pl]
PENDERECKIS RECEIVE KNIGHTS OF MALTA CROSSES
[Source: rmfclassic.pl]
MUSICA SACRA COMPETITION
In total, 34 compositions were submitted to the Competition from the following countries: Austria, Croatia, France, Netherlands, South Korea, Poland, Russia, USA, UK, and Italy. The jury was comprised of Marian Borkowski (Poland) – the President of the Jury, Vaclovas Augustinas (Lithuania), Thierry Escaich (France), Stephen Layton (Great Britain), and Jan Łukaszewski (Poland). The following awards were made:
[Source: competition.waw.pl]
PEROTTI COMPETITION RESULTS Several Polish-born singers were among the award recipients at the first Giulio Perotti Vocal Competition in Ueckermuende, Germany. The results were announced on February 11 and Egyptian soprano Fatma Said was the winner of the Grand Prix and the Special Prize Winner in her age category.
Among the college-age group the mezzo-soprano, Małgorzata Bartkowska was given the Special Award in her voice range, while Ewelina Siedlecka received the Award for Best Interpretation of a Twentieth Century Song in the graduate student category. There were 84 contestants from 11 countries and the organizers have already invited all interested vocalists to the Second Edition of the Competition, to be held in October 2012. [Source: polmic.pl]
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FESTIVALS |
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FOUR SCORE FESTIVAL
The Music Institute of Chicago’s Four Score Festival, which annually highlights contemporary music, this year focuses on new music from Poland. The Festival will run from March 6-13 at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, IL. The Consul General of Poland, Zygmunt Matynia, will be in attendance. The March 6 concert features works by Polish composers Marta Ptaszyńska, an award-winning composer and professor at the University of Chicago, and the late Henryk Górecki, described as “a leading figure of the Polish avant-garde during the post-Stalin cultural thaw.” The concert will be performed by MIC faculty Julia Bentley (mezzo-soprano), David Cunliffe (cello), Sang Mee Lee (violin), Patrice Michaels (soprano), Desiree Ruhstrat (violin), James Setapen (conductor and Academy program director), and Abraham Stokman (piano, Four Score Festival director), along with MIC President and CEO Mark George (piano), Director of Performance Activities Fiona Queen (piano and opera gongs), Assistant Director of Performance Activities Sam Nordlund (cello) and students in MIC’s Academy String Orchestra. Guest artists include Dominick Johnson (viola), Kevin Kosnik (percussion), Christie Miller (clarinet), Caroline Pittman (flute), Masahito Sugihara (saxophone), and members of the Fifth House Ensemble. The Four Score Festival puts the spotlight on the winners of its Generation Next Young Composer’s Competition and other young composers in a free performance on March 11, and the Festival concludes with a concert featuring contemporary Chinese composers Zhou Long and Chen Yi on March 13. [Source: press release]
WUJek FESTIVAL
The Frozen Bird ensemble arranges fairy-like compositions for the piano, violin, accordion and tuba. The Babadag project utilizes such unconventional instruments as steel drum or glockenspiel, while Maciej Cieślak and his new group take a novel approach to the sounds of acoustic guitar and stringed instruments. These musicians explore how to move the traditional into the present in creative ways—with the pursuit of harmony and intriguing lyricism remaining at the heart of their efforts.
WUJek Festival | March 5, 2011 [Source: press release via culture.pl]
JAZZ NAD ODRĄ FESTIVAL
[Sources: culture.pl, jazznadodra.pl]
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DISCOGRAPHY |
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FITELBERG: WORKS FOR VIOLIN & PIANO
Jan A. Jarnicki and his distinguished Warsaw-based label, Acte Préalable, continue to champion rarely heard works from the Polish music literature. Their latest release focuses on Grzegorz Fitelberg, a famous conductor remembered these days mainly as a close friend of composer Karol Szymanowski. Fitelberg, however, was also a noted composer and this collection of rare World Premiere recordings includes his Violin Sonatas Op. 2 & Op. 12, Recitativ (more on this composition below), Chanson Triste, two versions of Romans bez słów [Romance without Words], Berceuse, and Mazurka. The inspiration for this recording occurred when producer Jan A. Jarnicki came across Grzegorz Fitelberg’s compositions while browsing the archives of the Sibley Music Library at the Eastman School of Music in New York in 2005. Subsequently he initiated the Forgotten Polish Music Festival and then recruited featured artists violinist Andrzej Gebsi and pianist Soyeon Lim for this archival sound recording. Grzegorz Fitelberg (1879-1953) is recognized as one of the greatest Polish conductors and promoters Polish music during the first half of the twentieth century. Specializing in premieres of new music, he became known as the “Ambassador of Polish Music.” Prior to becoming a famous yet forgotten conductor, however, he began his musical career as a composer and violinist, and nearly all of his early compositions were scored for violin and piano. Fitelberg received his musical training and tutelage from the eminent teachers Miecysław Barcewicz (violin) and Gustav Rogulski, and later Zygmunt Noskowski (theory and composition), before moving away from composition to focus on his career as a conductor. Together with Karol Szymanowski, Ludomir Różycki, Mieczysław Karłowicz, and Apolinary Szeluto, Fitelberg belonged to a group of Polish composers who were part of the modernist movement in Polish music, literature and visual arts known as Młoda Polska [Young Poland]. Under the patronage of Prince Władysław Lubomirski, music by the Młoda Polska composers was presented at a number of concerts in Warsaw, Vienna and Berlin during the first decade of the twentieth century. Many comments and reviews (sometimes contradictory) written by Alexander Polinski, Adolph Chybinski and Zadislaw Jachimecki were dedicated to the young Fitelberg’s symphonic output, and undoubtedly his symphonies added significantly to the development of Polish music of that genre. However, there has been less discussion of the role of Fitelberg’s music within the history of Polish violin music at the turn of the twentieth century. These early works for violin and piano can be seen as a genuine, significant link in the development of Polish violin literature and one cannot help but wonder why they are so rarely heard in Polish concert halls. It is true that Grzegorz Fitelberg’s great career as a conductor somewhat overshadowed his achievements as a composer, but these artistically valuable works are preserved and published (with the exception of the Sonata No. 1 in A minor) and merit greater inclusion in the violin repertoire of today. This present recording aims to promote this purpose. With the 1903 Violin Concerto, Fitelberg’s interest shifted towards writing for larger ensembles and, during the next decade he wrote two symphonies, symphonic poems, overtures and rhapsodies for orchestra. Recording Fitelberg’s orchestral works could be the next project for some enterprising musicians and this intrepid label, providing much-needed insight into the legacy of this still largely unknown composer. * * * * * * FITELBERG’S RECITATIV Little if any mention is ever made with respect to the Jewish origin and roots of composer Grzegorz Fitelberg, and yet these origins are very important to his compositional development. One of his compositions, known simply as Recitativ (1918) is actually a traditional Klezmer composition for clarinet and piano in two movements—Adagio and Recitativ—known as Tzu der Chuppah [To the Wedding Canopy]. The Jewish names for these two movements are Kale-Besezen [Preparing the Bride] and Procession. Fitelberg’s version of this traditional song is dedicated to the famous clarinetist Simeon Bellison and was arranged by him. The piece was composed in 1918 and later published by Jibneh-Verlag in Austria. Grzegorz Fitelberg and Simeon Bellison undoubtedly became acquainted during 1914-20, when Fitelberg was conductor of the St. Petersburg Imperial Opera in which Bellison served as clarinetist. They probably reconnected when Fitelberg came to New York while Bellison was principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic after WWII. These two were ardent admirers of each other’s musical talents. While Recitativ has been recorded on several CD’s, confusing attributions or little mention of Fitelberg on CD covers or in program notes is very common.
These two recordings plus a third performed by pianist/ehtnomusicologist Jascha Nemtsov and clarinetist Wolfgang Meyer—Jewish Songs without Words (Hanssler Classics)—are perhaps the best ones and my personal favorites. An Atma Classique release from April 1999 (ACD22187) offers the listener a perfect performance by André Moisan, clarinet and Louise-Andrée Baril, piano. Under the listing of S. Bellison’s Vier herbräische Melodien, Recitativ is performed under the title given on the original printed composition—Zur Trauung (G.Fitelberg)—and is a lengthier version than the others. Finally, Melisma Records (MELI 7170-2) offers us a classic version performed by Heiner Rekeszus on clarinet and Erika le Roux on piano. Known concert performances of this composition include the following:
One can also listen to this magical piece in the Julliard School “Listening Room”:
Gary Fitelberg is a Polish-American author, biographer, music historian and musicologist. Maryla Renat (b. 1958) is a Polish musicologist, music theorist and educator. A graduate of the Academy of Music in Katowice’s Department of Composition and Music Theory (1983) and Department of Instrumental Pedagogy (violin, 1989), she obtained her doctoral degree in humanities at the Art Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw (1998) with a dissertation on the Evolution of the compositional technique of Grażyna Bacewicz. She serves as assistant professor in the Music Department of the Jan Długosz Institute of Art Education in Częstochowa, and since 2008, has been head of the Department of Theory. She is a candidate for membership in the Polish Composers Union. Dr. Renat is the author of many articles, both academic and popular. In 2004 she won first prize at the Muzyka21 Competition for an essay entitled "The Forgotten Music of Poland,” focused on the Violin Concertos of Emil Młynarski.
[Sources: culture.pl, woodwind.org, polmic.pl]
CHOPIN’S OWN PIANO
Chopin's Own Piano This album was recorded on Chopin's own Pleyel piano (part of the Cobbe Collection), an instrument restored by David Winston with piano tuning by Tim Wrench. Pianist Sam Haywood has performed to critical acclaim all over the world as concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He performs regularly with Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis and has recorded extensively for radio and CD. His latest release, recently chosen as 'CD of the Week' on Radio 3's Sunday Morning programme, is the first recording to have ever been made on Chopin's own Pleyel piano of 1846. Earlier this year he appeared in twenty-one cities in USA and Canada with Joshua Bell and performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Steven Isserlis, Jannis Georgiadis, Hobart Earle and the Athens State Orchestra. Forthcoming engagements include solo and chamber music recitals in UK, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, South America, Poland, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, USA and the Czech Republic
CHOPIN ON BLUE RAY
A Collectors’ Edition of Chopin’s Songs performed by soprano Ewa Iżykowska and pianist Wojciech Świtała came out recently on Blue Ray disc. The recording was made during a concert at the Salle du Conservatoire in Paris, where Chopin had been heard in performance as well. The piano used for the concert was Chopin’s Pleyel dating from 1843 and the event was recorded by the leading Polish expert, Andrzej Lipiński, using stereo surround sound technology. The historical ambience of the Conservatoire and the unique sound of Chopin’s piano were captured on film during the October 28, 2010 concert, which was attended by international dignitaries and diplomats. Chopin’s Songs represent the second entry in the catalogue of Blue Ray discs featuring Polish music. A recording of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s Third Symphony led by the composer has launched the so-called National Music Collection Series that will honor the most important artists in the history of Polish music. The next projects in this series will include Karol Szymanowski’s opera, Król Roger, and violin concertos by Henryk Wieniawski. |
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PERFORMANCES |
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BLECHACZ CONQUERS S.F.
Szymanowski’s complex Sonata No. 1 in C minor was perfect. Mozart’s Variations K. 264, Debussy’s L’isle joyeuse, and Chopin’s first two Ballades, Polonasies Op. 26, and Four Mazurkas Op. 41 completed the musical feast. How lucky it was to be in the audience, let alone in the first row! After three encores both he and the Steinway needed a rest. The CDs sold out within minutes—much to the disappointment of 100 or more who didn’t get to have their copy autographed. After the lobby emptied and a fabulous photo session near City Hall, Rafał’s entourage meandered up MacAllister to Indigo Restaurant where more than 70 adoring fans greeted him with the first of several rounds of Sto Lat! Chopin vodka was poured in plentiful amounts before a sumptuous dinner was served with fantastic wines from Sterling Vineyards. Several GB of photos were taken by the guests and Marcin Sieradzki, the official PACF photographer. After dozens of autographs, thousands of smiles and twice as many flashes, the evening drew to a moonlit close for Rafał and us all. We wish it could have gone on until morning, but even Cinderella had a curfew. The chef and staff at Indigo outdid themselves and we will be sure to return there again. Rafał Blechacz should perform at Davies Hall with the San Francisco Symphony soon – Bravo Rafał! [Photo: Felix Broede/DG]
WUNDER & CHOPIN IN BARBOURSVILLE
On February 24, the 7th Annual “Chopin in Barboursville” Concert was held in Barboursville Vineyards, Virginia. This year's concert featured the world-renowned pianist Ingolf Wunder, the second-place winner in the 2010 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. The concert was presented by The Chopin Foundation of the United States and Premier Virginia Properties.
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REMEMBERING WIKTOR ŁABUŃSKI, cont. |
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THE ŁABUŃSKI SEVEN-YEAR ITCH
Nearly seven years have passed since the article I wrote on Wiktor Łabuński appeared in the September 2004 issue of the Polish Music Newsletter (Vol. 10 no. 9). Things have been fairly quiet on the Łabuński front since then. The University of Missouri—Kansas City Conservatory marked their centennial a few years ago, and included the establishment of endowed scholarship fund in memory of this famous Polish-American musician as part of their anniversary celebrations. Also, Wiktor’s Variations on a Theme by Paganini can now be found on You Tube, played by a young aspiring pianist. In January 2011, the PMC forwarded an e-mail to me that had been sent by one of Łabuński’s grandchildren. They had just recently discovered the article on their grandfather and wished to make contact with me. In February, one more letter appeared out of the blue from another former Łabuński student—Milton Granger—who also had just came across the same article on the internet. Mr. Granger asked if it was still possible to include his fond memories of his former professor. The article which follows is the answer to his request, and it will eventually be included in the original article of 2004. As a 12-year-old child prodigy, Mr. Granger had the distinction of having performed in what is believed to have been the first triple simulcast using both radio and television broadcasting facilities in the United States. The historical event took place on December 15, 1959 with the Kansas City Philharmonic orchestra performing Łabuński’s Concertino in C Minor for Piano with Milton Granger as the soloist. The performance was simultaneously broadcast on KCMO, KCMO-FM and Channel 5 in order to create a stereophonic effect. As an adult, though, Granger spent a great part of his musical career with opera and the musical theater. As a composer, he has to his credit six chamber operas, seven musical plays and two children’s musicals. Two of his operas have been first-place prize winners of the National Opera Association. He has also been the conductor and/or pianist for over a score of musicals on Broadway, off-Broadway and in Europe. Currently, you can hear him play in Mary Poppins on Broadway. Mr. Granger resides in New Jersey. Milton Granger My first piano teacher was Cecilia Uribe, whose niece Blanca Uribe1 was a student of Łabuński's and a well-known pianist in her own right. Cecilia taught me for a year then turned me over to Wanda Łabuński, and I had lessons in their home at 5801 Grand for two years. Then Wanda turned me over to her husband Wiktor when I was still a kid in grade school. And he was Wiktor Łabuński! I was permanently intimidated.
They were quite the contrasting couple. Wanda was vibrant, enthusiastic, always laughing. Wiktor was droll, formal, and a little aloof. They complemented each other beautifully. Wanda would hold studio recitals in their home, and she got everybody's attention by playing glissandos on both pianos simultaneously. You had to see it to understand how it was done. Every Christmas Wanda would make nut tortes, a special Polish recipe. Each of these contained at least two million calories, but they were unbelievably delicious. You had to slice each piece razor-thin, and even then one piece would leave you feeling stuffed. I've never run across anything like them since.2 As with several other students, Wiktor introduced me to Artur Rubinstein.3 I played a few pieces for Rubinstein, who gave me an autographed photo—still one of my prized possessions.
I wasn't as serious a student as Wiktor would have liked, but he never gave up hope, and I did go on to major in music at Northwestern. He recommended a teacher, and when I had a chance to play a recital in Chicago's Orchestra Hall he counseled me, "New audience, old music"—one of the many pieces of advice that I should have taken, but didn't. Another remark of his never leaves me: One day he said to me, "Are you listening to yourself? I don't think so. So many pianists don't listen to themselves." At the time I just thought, well of course, I'm listening to myself; I'm not deaf. But as the years go by I understand more and more what he means. Now when I do really listen to the way I'm playing I know I'm doing it for him. Once he took me backstage after a concert by Hans Richter-Haaser4, and when he began chatting with Richter-Haaser, the first thing he said to him was, "Which language shall we speak?" That's a question I've never asked anybody, to my endless regret. He thought a pianist should not wear hand jewelry—also wise advice. I got married the first time when I was still in college and wore a wedding ring, commenting that despite the injunction against jewelry, wedding rings were of course perfectly acceptable. He murmured, "Not so much acceptable as inevitable." Vintage Łabuński: funny, but polite and true. I have since remarried and do not wear a ring. My first wife and I once attended a senior recital at UMKC, a pianist struggling through literature much too difficult for him. He had a terrible case of flop-sweat, and would sometimes stop in the middle of a piece to pull out a handkerchief and wipe his brow, then go back to missing notes and mangling phrases. We wanted to be supportive and sympathetic, but it was also pretty funny, and we spent most of the recital trying not to laugh. On our way out we passed by Dr. Łabuński, who dispassionately remarked, "That was not only the worst performance of the Liszt Sonata I've ever heard, but the worst performance of any work." No anger, just a statement of fact. My wife and I couldn't stop laughing for the next few hours. For my senior recital we were required to prepare one piece without the teacher's guidance, and I chose a Prokofiev Sonata. Wiktor was just as well pleased. He didn't care for Prokofiev; they had been students at the St. Petersburg Conservatory together! He still spoke disdainfully of Prokofiev's unusual technique (hardly the graceful elegance that Wiktor displayed), and I think he found Prokofiev's music rude and bullying.
Thanks for inspiring these memories. Keep up the excellent work! Milton Granger, composer/pianist/conductor ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1 A native of Columbia, Uribe was the only Łabuński student to take part in the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw where she won an Honorable Mention in 1965. She became professor of music at Vassar College, and returned to Columbia upon retirement. 2 The dessert in question could have been Kutia, which is Ukrainian in origin but very popular in Eastern Poland. It is made from dried fruit, ground almonds, poppy seeds and a massive amount of honey. However, Mr. Granger insists that this dessert was a round-shape cake with heavy chocolate frosting with the thick texture of a candy bar. In an email he writes, “They were also a Christmas cottage industry for her. She sold them for $10 each, which was a lot of money for a dessert in the late 1950's.” 3 Rubinstein was married to Wanda’s sister Aniela. They were daughters of the famous conductor Emil Młynarski. Thus, Rubinstein was Wanda’s bother-in-law. |
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OBITUARY |
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BOHDAN POCIEJ Bohdan Pociej, one of Poland’s most distinguished music critics, musicologists, and author of books about music, died on March 3 at the age of 78. He studied Polish literature and later musicology at Warsaw University, and graduated in 1959. He was a frequent contributor to Poland’s foremost musicological journal, Ruch Muzyczny, where he worked as Editor until his retirement in 1994. Pociej’s essays frequently appeared in Tygodnik Powszechny, Nowe Książki, Więź, Znak, and Twórczość, among others. Bohdan Pociej also closely collaborated with Polish Radio, hosting dozens of program series, including “Music as History of Sound,” “Bach and the Art of the Fugue,” “Questions of Form in Baroque Compositions,” and “Music in the Sphere of Thought,” among others. Since 1963 he was a member of the Polish Composers’ Union [ZKP] and since 1994 a member of the Polish Writers’ Union. His written legacy amounts to several hundred articles, essays and many books, including his last, Existing in Music: An Attempt to Define the Opus of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, published in Katowice in 2005. [Source: polmic.pl]
DANUTA IDASZAK Danuta Idaszak, a well-known musicologist specializing in the history of Polish music in the 18th and 19th centuries, died on February 27, 2011, at 81 years old. During the years 1955-1992 she headed the Library of the Musicology Institute at the Warsaw University and authored several catalogues describing musical manuscripts from the city of Gniezno and Grodzisk Wielkopolski. She was also a member of Polish Composers’ Union [ZKP] since 1965. [Source: polmic.pl] |
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to PMC Home Page PMC Newsletter Archive
Copyright 2011 by the Polish Music Center
Send your comments and inquiries to: polmusic@thornton.usc.edu
Newsletter Editor: Krysta Close
Layout Assistance: Charles Bragg
Translation Assistance: Marek Żebrowski
Contributions from:
Marek Żebrowski, Joseph A. Herter,
Vladek Juszkiewicz,
Caria Tomczykowska, Patti Lynn Conard,
Piotr Grella-Możejko and Gary Fitelberg
Sources of information: Polish Cultural Institute (NY & UK), Adam Mickiewicz Institute,
PWM,
Nowy Dziennik,
Polish Music Information Centre - Warsaw, Polish American Journal,
Poland.pl,
PAP,
ZKP, infochopin.pl, Ruch Muzyczny, Gazeta Wyborcza
Formatting by Krysta Close, March 11, 2011.
The Polish Music Center includes all content on a space available basis. We reserve the right to refuse any content submitted.
Wojtek Blecharz
Mikołaj Górecki
Jarosław Kapuściński
Ewa Trębacz
Krzysztof Wołek
David Lynch
Andrzej Panufnik: Old Polish Suite for String Orchestra; Concerto in Modo antico—Jagiellonian Triptych for String Orchestra; Old Polish Music: Divertimento after Janiewicz; Hommage a Chopin: and Five Pieces for Flute and String Orchestra. The soloists include Igor Cechoco, trumpet, and Hanna Turonek, Flute. Polish Chamber Orchestra is led by Maestro Smolij on this 
Miklós Rózsa: Overture to a Symphony Concert, Op. 26a; Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 3; Notturno ungherese, Op. 28; and Three Ungarian Sketches, Op. 14. Mark Kosower is the cello soloist here and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Maestro Smolij on this 
Warsaw on October 29, 2000. The program included music by Charles Ives (Variations on America), Samuel Barber (Adagio for Strings), George Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue), Leonard Bernstein (Symphonic Dances from West Side Story), and Aaron Copland (Four Episodes from Rodeo). 
From March 25 – 27, 2011, the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) will host the 4th annual “Festival of Premieres – Poland’s Latest Music” [
Justyna Kowalska-Lasoń (left) - Śpiewam Nowoczesnego Człowieka for syphonic orchestra 
On March 12, the world-renowned 
The Lutosławski Studio was specifically built for recordings and concert performances and is known worldwide for its superb acoustics. It is also universally acknowledged to be the best such space in Central Europe. Recording companies from all over the world have used the Lutosławski Studio S1 for their projects and the planned rental of the space to another party would jeopardize its unique sound properties. 
Following the auditions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine, young Polish musicians have their chance to 
The orchestra's members are young people from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and other European countries to the east of European Union, including Moldavia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Poland, at the heart of Europe, has a long history of connecting the East and the West. On the occasion of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, a key tenet is the influence that both the East and the West have had on the collective European cultural identity. Moreover, the Western societies ought to be reminded of the cultural richness and long-standing tradition of the European countries from beyond the eastern boundaries of the Schengen Area. The project aims to effect permanent change in the approach towards orchestral education in the participating countries and leave a strong impression on the musical map of Europe for future generations.
A new book written by Małgorzata Gąsiorowska and published by 
Warszawska Filharmonia Narodowa na pięciu kontynentach [The National Philharmonic on Five Continents] is a 640-page book by Marian Gołębiowski, the former administrative director of Poland’s foremost orchestra. This volume represents over three decades of research and covers all of the Warsaw Philharmonic’s travels between the years 1951-2009, including 1372 concerts and 128 concert tours. This richly illustrated album contains reproductions of programs, posters, and photos showing the musicians during rehearsals, concerts, and sightseeing. 
This 16th edition of the Other Minds Festival, with Director Charles Amirkhanian at the helm, continues an annual tradition of concerts and artists' talks by the most creative voices from across the musical spectrum.The 2011 festival will also feature Louis Andriessen (Netherlands), I Wayan Balawan (Indonesia), Han Bennink (Netherlands), Kyle Gann (USA), Janice Giteck (USA), David A. Jaffe (USA), and Jason Moran (USA). In 2010 roku Paweł Mykietyn was a guest of this prestigious festival. This year 
On March 3-5, the 
Friday, March 11 | 8:00 pm
On Saturday, March 12, Polish soprano Yolanta Tensor will join Paul Salvo – trumpet and Polly Schaffner – piano for a spellbinding evening of familiar and beloved sacred and spiritual music at St. Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oaks, CA.
The 13th Polish Film Awards, “The Eagles,” were held during a celebratory gala in Warsaw on March7, 2011. Essential Killing, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski (pictured at right), was one of the most lauded films of the evening, winning the distinction of Best Music for composer Paweł Mykietyn as well as Best Film, Best Director and Best Editing (Reka Lemenhenyi and Maciej Pawliński).
On February 23, the Audio and Video Producers’ Union and the Polish Recording Academy announced the nominees in thirty-four categories of classical, jazz, and popular music for the Polish “Fryderyks”—equivalent to the US Grammys. Winners will be announced at a gala in Warsaw on May 9. There were a total of 726 entries, including 101 classical albums, 29 jazz albums, 139 albums by foreign artists, 201 popular music albums, 147 Song of the Year Singles, and 97 music videos. The full list of albums and artists nominated is available here: 
Polish composer 
In his acceptance speech, Maestro Penderecki (right) referred to the Renaissance-era composer and theoretician Johannes Tinctoris, who described goals of music as “Pleasing the Lord, forcing the devil to flee, lift the earthbound minds, cure the ill, and bring succor in times of hardship.” In thanking the Order for conferring such a great honor upon him and his wife, Krzysztof Penderecki also recalled the words of his recently deceased friend, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, who often quoted Father Michał Haller’s comparison of God to mathematics and Light to a mighty-sounding symphony. 
The jury of the VII International Composers Competition “
The First Prize winner in the 18-19 year old group was Polish soprano, Adriana Ferfecka (right), who also received a Special Prize for the best performance of the German-language song, Du bist die Ruh by Franz Schubert. 
The WUJek Festival (Warszawski Underground Jazzowy / Warsaw Jazz Underground) aims to bring the most interesting independent improvisational bands from Warsaw to audiences looking for a fresher sound. All three bands performing at this year's one-day event on March 5, 2011 experiment with musical form—across jazz, rock and avant garde—demonstrating an innovative approach to the song formula. Rather than limit themselves to the verse-chorus formula or to the typical instrumental setup of vocal-guitar-keyboard-bass-drums, these groups take a new spin on convention.
The 47th “Jazz on the Odra” Festival takes place in Wrocław, Poland from March 2 until March 6, 2011. 
GRZEGORZ FITELBERG: Complete works for violin & piano
Another creative and intriguing version of this work is an adaptation by the Wolford / Rosenblum Duo for saxophone and piano on their CD Laughter Without Tears (
At the 
Chopin’s Songs
What a day! 
He was always thinking of opportunities for his students, and he knew everybody on the musical scene in Kansas City. Hans Schweiger, the conductor of the K.C. Philharmonic, came to one of my recitals, thanks to Wiktor. That's how the radio-TV simulcast, mentioned in Mr. Herter's 
His recitals at the Conservatory were wonderful events. When I first began studying with him, he would do a series of three concerts every summer, usually on a certain theme (The Magic of Chopin was one), and he would introduce each work with knowledgeable background information, amusing anecdotes, insightful commentary. Someone should have been running a tape recorder.