Bach in Jaworki

Last Wednesday, January 12, in the picturesque church in Jaworki near Szczawnica, a special event took place, inaugurating the 12th edition of the Baroque Explorations Festival. The program of the premiere concert included four selected cantatas from J.S. Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" BWV 248, performed by the international Baroque Collegium 1685 - Choir and Orchestra and outstanding soloists: Magdalena Podkościelna, Margot Oitzinger, Tobias Hunger, and Peter Kooij - a world authority and great expert on Bach's repertoire.

The performing ensemble included artists from eight European countries, including virtuosos performing demanding instrumental parts, such as Hungarian László Borsody on natural trumpet, Krzystof Bialasik and Jiří Tarantik on natural horns, Petra and Aleš Ambrosi presenting oboe parts, and the excellent violinist Magdalena Malá. In the Baroque Collegium choir, alongside chamber musicians from Szczawnica, singers associated with music centers in various parts of Poland and Slovakia also performed. Rehearsals for the concert took place at the Gościnny Dworek in Szczawnica.

The entire event was comprehensively prepared and led by Agnieszka Żarska - the creator and artistic director of the Baroque Explorations Festival and the founder of Baroque Collegium 1685, who also serves as the choir master and project manager.

The event was broadcast live via YouTube and Facebook channels. The high-quality transmission was realized by Ars Sonora Studio.

The concert was enthusiastically received by both the audience gathered on-site and by viewers from Poland and abroad watching it through the media.

The recording of the concert is still available at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch
Translations of the Oratorio text and artist biographies can be found at the following links:
baroque.szczawnickichor.pl/oratorium-bwv-248-tekst,1,95.html
baroque.szczawnickichor.pl/artysci,1,94.html
The Baroque Explorations Festival is organized by the Szczawnicki Chamber Choir Association. Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport, from the Culture Promotion Fund as part of the "Music" program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance. Support: Pieniński Cooperative Bank, Czech Center in Warsaw. Cooperation: Parish of Our Lady of Grace in Szlachtowa, Hotel Batory ***, Congress Center Gościnny Dworek, Pieniny Spa Resort, Municipal Cultural Center in Szczawnica, Ars Sonora Studio.



Text: SCK
Photos: Ars Sonora Studio, Hieronim Makita