6 Kurpian Songs for mixed choir by Karol Szymanowski will be performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir under its new director Bartosz Michałowski on February 19, 2017 at 6.00 pm.
Fascinated with A Wedding in Kurpie (a spectacle of songs collected by folklorist Władysław Skierowski), Karol Szymanowski transformed and arranged traditional regional melodies in an unusual way. At the beginning, there were two songs a cappella, written to be performed by Polska Kapela Ludowa (Polish Folk Band) directed by Stanisław Kazuro (to whom the cycle was dedicated). The ensemble’s innovative expression charmed the audience, therefore Stanisław Wiechowicz persuaded to composer to arrange other folksongs. The complete cycle of six songs was premiered by the London Select Choir under Arnold Fulton during the International Society for Contemporary Music Festival in London. Six Kurpian Songs for choir belong to few works by Szymanowski in which he used folk melodies and texts almost in crudo (unlike the stylized highlanders’ motifs). The reflective lyrics inspired extremely expressive arrangements with rich texture, varied dynamics and interesting harmony (source: www.filharmonia.pl).
The performers will present also Missa Festiva for choir and organ by Alexander Gretchaninov and Missa Brevis for solo voices, choir and organ by Zoltán Kodály.
The concert will be broadcast on-line at www.filharmonia.pl and YouTube Channel.