Tour of the laureates of the International Competition of Polish Music
November 2-December 15, 2022
Scroll down for details about each concert listed below.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 7 PM ET
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, NY
Friday, November 4, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Park Ballroom, Paso Robles, CA
Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 7:00PM ET
Polish and Slavic Center in New York, NY
Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Ballroom, Paso Robles Inn, Paso Robles, CA
Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 4 PM CT
PaSO Academy of Music in Chicago, IL
Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Thayer Hall, Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA
Friday, November 11, 2022 at 7 PM ET
Polish and Slavic Center in New York, NY
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7 PM CT
Paderewski Symphony Orchestra and Academy of Chicago, IL
Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
West Charleston Library in Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 6:30 PM PT
San Diego Public Library, CA
Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6 PM ET
Polish and Slavic Center in New York, NY
This November and December, a group of young, emerging artists—winners of the 1st and 2nd editions of the International Competition of Polish Music—will embark on a tour of the United States as part of the “Polish Music on Stage / US edition” project, organized by the National Institute of Music and Dance as part of the Inspiring Culture program and presented in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute New York.
The International Competition of Polish Music takes place since 2019 at the Artur Malawski Subcarpathian Philharmonic in Rzeszów. The Competition seeks to promote the legacy of sixty 19th– and 20th-century Polish composers among Polish and international audiences. Laureates of the Competition will be among the musicians featured in the Polish Music on Stage / US edition program, projected to span two years and include a total of 16 concerts, slated between November 2022 and December 2022 in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Showcasing their skills at the concerts will be the winners of two editions of the ICPM: Canadian pianist Carter Johnson, the Polish Violin Duo (Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Laguniak), Cracow Golden Quintet, as well as the winner of the 4th prize at the latest edition of the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Jakub Kuszlik.
On the one hand, Polish Music on Stage / US edition is a presentation of previous editions of the ICCM as well as a preview of the third installment of the competition, scheduled to take place in July 2023 in Rzeszów. In addition to pieces by Chopin and Paderewski, the program of our concerts will include lesser-known but highly attractive works, such as Bacewicz’s dramatic Piano Sonata No. 2, Kilar’s youthful Wind Quintet and Wajnberg’s Sonata for Two Violins, Op. 69, says Lech Dzierżanowski, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Music and Dance.
Among the partner institutions that will host Polish artists in 2022 are: New York Dance & Arts Innovations Inc. (NYDAI), Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, Paderewski Symphony Orchestra and Academy of Music in Chicago, Polish and Slavic Center, Polish American Social Club of Las Vegas, and the San Diego Public Library. Also lending its support to Polish Music on Stage / US edition is the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles.
The Polish Music on Stage / US edition is realized by the National Institute of Music and Dance, co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Inspiring Culture program.” Presented in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute New York and Polish Music Center in Los Angeles.
About the National Institute of Music and Dance
The National Institute of Music and Dance implements creative, publishing, academic and scholarship projects. It sets new standards for cooperation between artists and institutions. The Institute runs a number of projects, including the Oskar Kolberg Award for Merits to Folk Culture; Spaces of Art; Coryphaeus of Polish Music, PolandDances; International Competition of Polish Music. Every day, the Institute’s team ensures the growth of Polish musicians and dancers and provides them with opportunities to showcase their achievements in Poland but and abroad. All of the Institute’s operations are financed within the framework of the grant awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 7 PM ET
XXIV International Chopin & Friends Festival
New York Dance & Arts Innovations Inc. (NYDAI)
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York
233 Madison Avenue (Jan Karski Corner)
New York, NY 10016
Cracow Golden Quintet: Natalia Jarząbek (flute), Monika Wygoda (bassoon), Damian Świst (oboe), Tomasz Sowa (clarinet) and Konrad Gołda (French horn)
Ania Vu (piano), Paulia Swiersczek (soprano), Jakub Polaczyk (piano)
Program:
Fryderyk Chopin – Moja pieszczotka (My darling) (Text: Adam Mickiewicz)
Wojciech Kilar – Vocalise – theme from The Ninth Gates
Ania Vu – Le ciel est par-dessus le toit (Text: Jacques Prévert)
Wojciech Kilar – Quintet for Woodwind Instruments
Jakub Polaczyk – Loon (in memory of Wojciech Kilar) for Woodwind Quintet
Marta Ptaszyńska – 3 Poetic Impressions for Piano and Woodwind Quintet
Paul Moravec – Woodwind Quintet
Huijuan Ling – Toward a Rediscovery (winning composition of the 5th “New Vision Composition Competition”)
Grażyna Bacewicz – Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn trio: Brandon, Cichocki, Kicinska – Improvisations on the music of W. Kilar, including theme from the Vocalise
Friday, November 4, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles
Park Ballroom, Paso Robles
2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, CA 93446
Tickets: $35 General Admission; $25 Seniors and Students; $10 – 18 and under
The 2022 Paderewski Festival is a three-day music festival held annually in November bringing world-class musicians to Paso Robles.
Cracow Golden Quintet: Natalia Jarząbek (flute), Monika Wygoda (bassoon), Damian Świst (oboe), Tomasz Sowa (clarinet) and Konrad Gołda (French horn)
Program:
Tadeusz Szeligowski – Quintet for wind instruments
Grażyna Bacewicz – Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Menuet Op. 14 no. 1, Legende Op. 16 no. 1 [arr. by Marek Żebrowski for woodwind quintet]
Wojciech Kilar – Quintet for Woodwind Instruments
Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, Gala Recital
Ballroom, Paso Robles Inn, Paso Robles
2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Tickets: $40 General admission; $35 Seniors and Students; $15 -18 and under
Jakub Kuszlik (piano)
Program:
Grażyna Bacewicz – Sonata No. 2
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Polonaise in B major Op. 9 No. 6
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Legende Op. 16 No. 1
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Cracovienne fantastique in B major Op. 14 No. 6
Fryderyk Chopin – Scherzo E major Op. 54 No. 4
Fryderyk Chopin – Sonata B minor Op. 58
Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 7 PM ET
XXIV International Chopin & Friends Festival
New York Dance & Arts Innovations Inc. (NYDAI)
Polish and Slavic Center in New York
177 Kent, Brooklyn NY 11222
Entrance free and open to the public.
Carter Johnson (piano)
Program:
Maria Szymanowska – Selected pieces from Vingt Exercises et Préludes (Prelude No. 4 in G minor: Agitato, Prelude No. 19 in A flat major: Con spirito, Prelude No. 18 in E major: Presto) Wojciech Kilar – Three Preludes
Fryderyk Chopin – Mazurka in A flat major Op. 59 No. 2
Miłosz Magin – Triptyque polonais: I. Mazur, II. Kujawiak, III. Oberek
Józef Krogulski – Mazurka in E minor (à la Chopin)
Grażyna Bacewicz – Sonata No. 2
Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 4 PM CT
Paderewski Symphony Orchestra and Academy of Chicago
PaSO Academy of Music in Chicago, IL
5400 N. Lawler Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Entrance free and open to the public.
For more information call +1 (773) 467-9000
Cracow Golden Quintet: Natalia Jarząbek (flute), Monika Wygoda (bassoon), Damian Świst (oboe), Tomasz Sowa (clarinet) and Konrad Gołda (French horn)
Program:
Tadeusz Szeligowski – Quintet for wind instruments
Grażyna Bacewicz – Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Menuet Op. 14 no. 1, Legende Op. 16 no. 1 [arr. by Marek Żebrowski for woodwind quintet]
Wojciech Kilar – Quintet for wind instruments
Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
Thayer Hall, Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA
200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Presented by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles
Concert organized on the occasion of the National Independence Day of the Republic of Poland
Admission by invitation only. Please contact organizer.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/PLinLosAngeles
Jakub Kuszlik (piano)
Program:
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Danses polonaises Op. 9 No. 6: Polonaise in B major
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Legende Op. 16 No. 1
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Cracovienne fantastique in B major Op. 14 No. 6
Grażyna Bacewicz – Sonata No. 2
Fryderyk Chopin – Sonata in B minor Op. 58
Friday, November 11, 2022 at 7 PM ET
XXIV International Chopin & Friends Festival
New York Dance & Arts Innovations Inc. (NYDAI)
Polish and Slavic Center in New York, NY
177 Kent, Brooklyn NY 11222
Entrance free and open to the public.
Jakub Kuszlik (piano)
Program:
Fryderyk Chopin – Mazurkas op. 50
Fryderyk Chopin – Scherzo E-major, op. 54
Fryderyk Chopin – Ballade in F major op.38
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Polonaise B-dur, op. 9 nr 6
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7 PM CT
Paderewski Symphony Orchestra and Academy of Chicago, IL
5400 N. Lawler Ave., Chicago IL 60630
Entrance free and open to the public.
For more information call +1 (773) 467-9000
Carter Johnson (piano)
Program:
Maria Szymanowska – Selected pieces from Vingt Exercises et Préludes (Prelude No. 4 in G minor: Agitato, Prelude No. 19 in A flat major: Con spirito, Prelude No. 18 in E major: Presto)
Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński – Mazurka in A minor Op. 37 No. 2
Władysław Żeleński – Gavotte
Stanisław Moniuszko – Three Waltzes
Miłosz Magin – Triptyque polonais I. Mazur, II. Kujawiak, III. Oberek
Fryderyk Chopin – Three Mazurkas Op. 59
Grażyna Bacewicz – Sonata No. 2
Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 7:30 PM PT
West Charleston Library in Las Vegas, NV
6301 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, US 89146
Concert presented by the Polish American Social Club of Las Vegas
Entrance free and open to the public.
Polish Violin Duo: Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak
Program:
Grażyna Bacewicz – Suite for 2 violins
Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk – Two Contrasts for a duo
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 Op. 18 (transcription for 2 violins)
Mieczysław Weinberg – Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 69
Roman Twardowski – Polish fantasia for 2 violins
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 No. 3
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 6:30 PM PT
San Diego Public Library, CA
Part of The San Diego Central Library at Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common Fall 2022 Concert Series.
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Library
330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Entrance free and open to the public.
Polish Violin Duo : Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak
Program:
Grażyna Bacewicz – Suite for 2 violins
Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk – Two Contrasts for a duo
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 Op. 18 (transcription for 2 violins)
Mieczysław Weinberg – Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 69
Roman Twardowski – Polish fantasia for 2 violins
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 No. 3
Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM ET
Polish and Slavic Center in New York, NY
177 Kent, Brooklyn NY 11222
Entrance free and open to the public.
For more information call +1 (718) 389-0705
Polish Violin Duo: Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak
Program:
Grażyna Bacewicz – Suite for 2 violins
Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk – Two Contrasts for a duo
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 Op. 18 (transcription for 2 violins)
Mieczysław Weinberg – Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 69
Roman Twardowski – Polish fantasia for 2 violins
Henryk Wieniawski – Étude-Caprice No. 1 No. 3
ARTISTS
Polish Violin Duo
Polish Music on Stage
Title of the concert: Music for two violins – from the era of virtuosos to modern times
The Polish Violin Duo has been one of the most interesting debuts on the Polish classical music scene in the last few years. The ensemble consists of two charismatic musicians – Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, whose energy in concert forms a perfect combination with their musical sensitivity. Each of their concert appearances turns into a one-of-a-kind artistic spectacle, in which the audiences have a chance to get to know and acquire a taste for chamber music dedicated to a pair of violins, a repertoire that is rarely performed in today’s philharmonic and concert halls.
The Polish Violin Duo had come into existence in 2014, but its astonishingly successful career was launched in 2019, when the musicians won the main prize at the first edition of the International Competition of Polish Music, an event organised by the National Institute of Music and Dance (Narodowy Instytut Muzyki i Tańca). Ever since that time, the ensemble have been successively accumulating more and more awards and laurels, including the First Prize at the International Anton Rubinstein Competition for chamber ensembles in Düsseldorf (Germany), the Grand Prix of the International Music Competition ‘Music & Stars Awards’ in Tallinn (Estonia) and the Grand Prix of the Léopold Bellan International Competition in Paris (France).
The last couple of years have been especially fruitful adding to the duo’s collection of trophies. Most recently, the violinists have successfully contested at such events as the ‘Concert Tours to China’ in Copenhagen (Denmark), the ‘OPUS 2020’ in Kraków (Poland), ‘The Muse’ in Athens (Greece), the ISCART International Competition in Lugano (Switzerland), the ‘Magic Muse’ in Moscow (Russian Federation), the Odin International Music Online Competition in Tallinn (Estonia) and the Wiener Klassiker Danubia Talents in Budapest (Hungary).
The Polish Violin Duo have performed in concert at a variety of Polish philharmonic halls and festival venues either in a duo or as two violins accompanied by a piano or an orchestra (with the repertoire by J.S. Bach, Frolov, Sarasate, Vivaldi, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich etc.)
The artists made their recording debut in 2020 releasing a CD with violin duets written by the Polish composer Joachim Kaczkowski (1789-1829). The album was brought out by one of the most prestigious record labels in Poland – DUX.
The Polish Violin Duo’s programmes strongly feature works written by Polish composers in addition to the standard international repertoire. During their tour of the United States, they will present a selection of compositions for two violins from the nineteenth century as well as those written much more recently. The audiences are bound to be enraptured by the poignant and virtuosic Etudes-Caprices op. 18 for two violins by Henryk Wieniawski (1835-80), an acclaimed violinist and composer; the graceful, beguiling and lively Suite for two violins by Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-69) – the most famous Polish female composer; the varied yet traditionally Polish Fantazja Polska (Polish Fantasia) for two violins by Romuald Twardowski (*1930) – the doyen of the contemporary classical music in Poland; the brilliant, spectacular and striking Sonata for two violins by Mieczysław Wajnberg (1919-96), a Polish composer of Jewish descent, whose works have been recently gaining wide international acclaim; and the starkly contrasted, mysterious and moving Two Contrasts for a duo by an up-and-coming young composer, who has already won a number of awards, Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk (*1987).
The project is co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Inspiring Culture programme.
Cracow Golden Quintet
The Cracow Golden Quintet is a woodwind quintet performing music ranging from classicism to contemporary pieces. Apart from interpreting world-renowned pieces by W.A. Mozart, C.Nielsen, J. Ibert, S. Barber and G. Ligeti, the ensemble specializes in performing and promoting the musical heritage of Poland, including world premieres and recordings of 20th-century and recent classical music compositions.
The quintet is co-formed by Natalia Jarząbek (flute), Monika Wygoda (bassoon), Damian Świst (oboe), Tomasz Sowa (clarinet) and Konrad Gołda (French horn).
Soon after its inception in 2015, the ensemble received first its prizes at the International Music Competition in London and the International Review of Chamber Music in Jawor (Poland). 2016 saw the CGQ win first prizes at the International Competition ‘Davorin Jenko’ in Belgrade, eMuse Competition in Greece, ENKOR International Music Competition in Düsseldorf, International Music Competition in Madrid, and Melos International Music Competition in Rome, the second prize and two special prizes at the Stanisław Moniuszko International Competition of Polish Music in Rzeszów (Poland) in 2019 organized by the National Institute of Music and Dance.
The ensemble has been invited to a number festivals, including the Alexander Arutiunian International Wind Festival in Armenia, ISA Festival in Austria, Crusell Festival in Finland, also performing in concert at the celebrated Academia Santa Cecilia in Rome. In Poland, the quintet has performed at the most important philharmonic and classical music venues. In 2021, CGQ released their debut album Polish Wind Quintets.
The Cracow Golden Quintet is currently working on a new Warner Music CD album that will be released in the fall of 2022 and will feature music by Aleksander Debicz and George Gershwin. To coincide with the album’s release, a promotional tour of major concert venues in Poland has been planned. Furthermore, the ensemble will be working on the next recording commissioned by the City of Krakow, which will include a music drama based on Krakow legends and will be released near the end of 2022.
Johnson Carter
Praised for his interpretive sensitivity, imaginative programming, and passion for connecting with audiences, 25-year-old Carter Johnson has established himself as one of Canada’s most exciting pianists. His most recent competition awards include being the first prize laureate in the 2021 Stanisław Moniuszko International Competition of Polish Music as well as first prize winner of the 2020 Valsesia International Competition. In 2018, Johnson won the top prize in two of Canada’s most important competitions, garnering both the grand prize in the Concours OSM and the first prize in the CMC Stepping Stone competition. He also has recently won prizes in the Canada International Piano Competition, the ArtePiano International Competition, and the New York International Piano Competition. Other competition experience includes the Santander International Competition, the Shenzhen International Concerto Competition, the Dublin International Competition, and the Hilton Head International Competition.
Johnson has performed with orchestras including l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, l’Orchestre Métropolitain, the Rzeszów Philharmonic Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Americas, and his playing has been broadcasted by CBC Radio and medici.tv. Venues in which he has performed concertos or solo recitals include the Maison Symphonique, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the Music Shed at Norfolk, the Shenzhen Concert Hall, and the Warsaw National Philharmonic Hall.
Born on Vancouver Island, Canada, Johnson began the study of piano at age 5 with Shelley Roberts, with whom he had the privilege of studying both performance and pedagogy for over 12 years. After continuing his studies with Michelle Mares, he completed a BMus with Mark Anderson at the University of British Columbia. He then received an MM from the Juilliard School under the direction of Joseph Kalichstein and Matti Raekallio, and continued to the Yale School of Music, where he is currently completing an MMA with Wei-Yi Yang.
Equally at home in the worlds of solo, concerto, chamber, and art song, Johnson has a particular interest in bringing light to the lesser-explored parts of the repertory, most recently championing a collection of works by relatively unknown Polish composers. In addition to the music of J.S. Bach (where he feels most at home), he is a particular advocate for the music of composers such as Schumann, Grieg, Fauré, Ives, Hindemith, Poulenc, Shostakovich, and Messiaen. His secondary instrument work has included studies in oboe, voice, and harpsichord. Trained in elocution as a teenager, Johnson holds an ATCL with distinction in speech and drama from Trinity College London, and he regularly brings this expertise to his recitals in his discussions on the music that is being played — for many audiences, these continue to be a highlight of his performances.
Johnson currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut with his wife Hannah and their sons Preston (4) and Ambrose (2), where he maintains a busy schedule as a concert artist, student, and teacher. In his spare time, he and Hannah enjoy both cooking together and watching good films, and spending time outside with their boys enjoying the charms of New England.
Jakub Kuszlik
He was born to play Chopin – Jed Distler, The Gramophone
Jakub Kuszlik is an exceptionally gifted Polish pianist. In 2021, he won the fourth prize at the Eighteenth International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, where he also won the Polish Radio honourable mention for his performance of Fryderyk Chopin’s mazurkas. The honourable mention has been awarded at the competition for 94 years and thus he joined a host of distinguished and renowned artists who had won this prestigious award before, e.g. Garrick Ohlsson, Marta Argerich and Đặng Thái Sơn. Jakub Kuszlik has also been a laureate at some other international competitions winning the second prize at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition in New York in 2019 and the third prize at the Top of the World International Piano Competition in Tromsø, Norway in 2019. He was also the second prize winner at the Tenth International Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz in 2016 and a semi-finalist of the International Beethoven Competition in Bonn, Germany in 2017, in addition to winning a number of national piano competitions in Poland.
The pianist has appeared in concert in such countries as the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Armenia, Iceland and France. His concert at Lincoln Center in New York in November 2018 met with an enthusiastic reception. Earlier in 2022, the artist saw the release of his debut CD album featuring his own selection of piano works by Johannes Brahms and Fryderyk Chopin. Kuszlik showcased the music’s strong emotional charge and both composers’ individual and innovative musical language.
PARTNERS
Władysław Broniewski – the Poet for the
