Concert at the Wrocław Philharmonic

13.10.2012, Saturday, 18:00
Wrocław, concert hall of the Philharmonic
Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny – conductor
Katarzyna Neugebauer-Jastrzębska – piano
Wrocław Philharmonic Choir

B. Chilcott – Jazz Folk songs
K. Jenkins – Cantata mundi for choir male
B. Britten – Ballad of little Musgrave and Lady Barnard for male choir

During World War II, a group of British officers in German camps organized amateur musical ensembles to forget about their difficult situation. According to the Geneva Convention protecting human rights, officers could not be used for forced labor, which meant they had time to devote to artistic activities. As much as possible, instruments and sheet music were bought locally or brought in by the Red Cross. 'I am convinced that through music we were able, many of us were, to restore within ourselves a deeper, or gain a new, constant joy of life' – wrote Richard Wood about his wartime experiences. In 1943, he organized a music festival in the prisoner-of-war camp in Eichstätt, during which the first performance of the Ballad of little Musgrave and Lady Barnard by Benjamin Britten took place. This piece was composed and dedicated to Richard Wood and the musicians from Oflag VIIb as a sign of support from the English creator. The ballad, based on an anonymous text, intended for male voices accompanied by piano, tells the story of an unfaithful wife (Lady Barnard) and her lover (little Musgrave), who, caught in the act by the jealous and betrayed husband (Lord Bernard), are murdered by him.
In turn, the performance exclusively by the male voices of the Wrocław Philharmonic Choir will feature Cantata mundi by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. The piece was created in 1997, and the inspiration for the creator was the sounds and musical styles from various parts of the world.

International influences can also be found in Jazz Folk Songs by contemporary British composer Bob Chilcott. In jazz arrangements, we will hear popular melodies from Canada, America, Andalusia, Japan, England, Ireland, Finland, and Australia, such as: The House of the Rising Sun, Waltzing Matilda, or À la claire fontaine. The choir will be conducted by Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny, and the piano accompaniment will be provided by Katarzyna Neugebauer-Jastrzębska.