Symphonic concert (45)

14th International Music Festival Chopin And His Europe Warsaw, 9–31 August 2018

30 August 2018 Thursday 20:00 Moniuszko Auditorium

Performances

Duration
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THE PROGRAMME:

Edward Elgar:
Symphonic prelude, Op. 76 (Polonia)

Ignacy Jan Paderewski:
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17

Mieczysław Karłowicz:
Symphony in E minor, Op. 7 (Rebirth)

Edward Elgar:
Piano Concerto (Part 2)

PERFORMERS:

Garrick Ohlsson (piano)
Benjamin Grosvenor (piano)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Grzegorz Nowak (conductor)

Niepodległa: From Chopin to Paderewski

Niepodległa [Independent] became a shorthand for the official celebrations marking 100 years since Poland regained its sovereignty in 1918. It is also the theme of this year's Chopin And His Europe Festival, which will also focus on two iconic Polish cultural figures, Chopin and Paderewski, whose respective oeuvres contributed to making Poland a free country. Living at a time when Poland's independence seemed beyond the bounds of possibility, Chopin made his music into a fitting testament to Polish heritage. Paderewski personally contributed to the independence struggle, using his international stature to advance the Polish cause. Unfairly underappreciated by his compatriots as a composer, he left behind staggeringly beautiful, brilliant pieces, which the festival audience will now have a chance to rediscover. Both of the artists will serve as an inspiration to explore the richness of Polish music, both written under the foreign dominance in the 19th century and in independent Poland in the course of the 20th and 21st centuries.