2006-10-31

Cracow, 5-12 November 2006 O, city of Cracow, the unity
Of your inhabitants abundantly
Serves as your adornment:
A multitude of clergy, dignity of men,
And matrons with a great many children;
Riches in profusion.
You are washed by clear springs,
Guarded by shade-giving hills.
The guilty will not escape retribution,
The innocent will receive benefaction,
Everyone will encounter compassion.

(Anonymous, tr. Michael J. Miko)

This fragment of a hymn extolling the charms of Kraków, from the first half of the 15th century, is probably the best motto for this year’s edition of the Festival of Polish Music. For where else, if not in the former capital of the Republic, should a musical event take place which presents those ‘riches in profusion’ of Polish music, from the works of Mikołaj of Radom to Paweł Mykietyn?

Already the first concert will reveal the ideas of this festival, for compositions will be presented which were written in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries: the first Polish symphonic poem, by Noskowski; a violin concerto by Szymanowski – the father of 20th-century Polish music – which, additionally, will be performed by a soloist from the Oriental country of Japan; and the most recent symphony of world-famous composer Krzysztof Penderecki. During the eight days of the festival, we will showcase pearls of Polish Renaissance music, magnificent 19th-century symphonic repertoire, and outstanding contemporary works, as well as a group of the youngest composers. As was the case last year, there will be world premières of several compositions: Paweł Mykietyn’s String Quartet no. 2, commissioned specially with the festival in mind; new choral works by Lidia Zielińska and Paweł Łukaszewski; the most recent works with electronic media by young artists from Wrocław. There will also be no lack of historic world premières, symbolized this year by Juliusz Zarębski’s Polonaise triomphale. We shall turn yet again to the great Polish symphonic repertoire in the form of Zygmunt Noskowski’s Symphony no. 2 ‘Elegy’, forgotten chamber music represented by such pieces as Dobrzyński’s String Quintet or Tansman’s Variations, as well as to one of the greatest masterpieces in all of 20th-century music – Krzysztof Penderecki’s Passion according to St. Luke.

Invitations to the second edition of the Festival have been accepted by the best Polish chamber, choral and symphonic ensembles, magnificent soloists, as well as distinguished conductors, of which three (Agnieszka Duczmal, Jerzy Maksymiuk and Jan Krenz) will be celebrating birthday jubilees (60th, 70th and 80th respectively) during the event. We will inaugurate a tradition of regular festival visits from Polish philharmonic ensembles – this year, we will be hosting the Warsaw Philharmonic, under the direction of Antoni Wit. We have also invited new ensembles, such as ElettroVoce with the charismatic Agata Zubel. And importantly – Polish music will be performed by renowned foreign performers, from the USA, Japan, Switzerland, Holland, Austria, Germany and Russia, whom we have managed to convince yet again in favor of Polish music. If such ensembles as the Kronos Quartet, Ursula and Heinz Holliger, or the Altenberg Trio are coming to Kraków to perform works by Polish artists, then aren’t we becoming one of the more important music centers?

Our partner – aside from the Mayor and the Polish Music Society – is Polish Radio. Yet again, we will be hosting at the Festival all of the Radio music ensembles; but also yet again, all concerts will be recorded for archival purposes, and some of them will be transmitted live for all listeners to Channel 2, from Gdańsk to Zakopane. Thanks to Polish Radio’s participation in the European Broadcasting Union, our festival concerts will reach broadcasters all over Europe.

In 2006, the entire musical world is observing Mozart’s 250th birthday. Can such an occasion be noted in any way at a Festival of Polish Music? Of course, especially since many Polish composers paid musical homage to the genius from Salzburg with their own compositions. Chopin’s Variations on a theme from the opera Don Giovanni have no doubt been heard by many, but have you ever heard of Dobrzyński’s Hommage à Mozart based on the same duet ‘La ci darem la mano’? If not, then your only chance will be in Kraków…

Andrzej Kosowski
Editor-in-Chief, PWM Edition
Festival Program Director

www.fmp.com.pl