KUTNO. CONCERT OF THE COLORS OF POLAND FESTIVAL

August 25, 2024, 7:00 PM
Kutno, St. Lawrence Church, ul. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego 4

The trend of arranging traditional folk melodies for choral ensembles in Poland was fortunate to have representatives of the highest quality. It is enough to mention that in the past century, they reached for vocal folklore, among others, Karol Szymanowski and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. The first one derived complex harmonic and textural structures from archaic melodies, while the second one aimed for maximum simplicity to emphasize the expressive layer of the songs. Both of them drew on the musical notations of Kurpie melodies, transcribed by the hand of Rev. Władysław Skierkowski, recognized as the most outstanding researcher of the Green Wilderness of that period.
In the neo-Gothic, brick St. Lawrence Church in Kutno, with a facade that attracts attention with two slender towers, we will hear compositions based on melodies from our Łódź Voivodeship. The arrangements dedicated to the musicians of the Łódź Philharmonic Choir under the direction of Artur Koza were undertaken a year ago by Zuzanna Falkowska, whose work focuses on choral music and compositions for children. In addition, the requests of the ensemble were answered by Jacek Sykulski, who has been honored multiple times for monumental vocal compositions, and Marcin Wawruk, valued for both leading chamber vocal ensembles and arranging works for this type of group. Joining the group of composers is our man for special tasks, Mariusz Lewy, arranging melodies for his Choir for the (Un)Resistant, a group of music lovers who practice singing together every Monday in the concert hall FŁ (remember - everyone can join!).

The performers will be accompanied by the Etnosomnia string quartet formed two years ago, led by musicians raised in the world of classical music, drawing inspiration from folk, improvised, and jazz music. The evening's soloists will be Katarzyna Pakowska and Michał Rudaś. Katarzyna Pakowska is a singer, educator, and author of texts. She is an enthusiast of traditional singing. She performs in bands such as Kosy, Charles Pakovsky, and has collaborated with Wojciech Pilichowski, among others. Michał Rudaś is a vocalist with an original singing style, incorporating elements of Indian music into his works and performances. He has released 5 albums, including 3 solo ones.

Performers:

Łódź Philharmonic Choir
Choir for the (Un)Resistant

Artur Koza - conductor
Etnosmonia string quartet consisting of:
Weronika Mońka-Chwała - violin I
Paulina Krakowian-Biernacka - violin II
Magdalena Szczebiot-Murawska - viola
Marzena Masłowska - cello

Katarzyna Pakowska - singing
Michał Rudaś - singing

Program:

Zuzanna Falkowska - "From the other side of the water"
Zuzanna Falkowska - "Kumpała się Kasia"
Zuzanna Falkowska - "By the sea"
Zuzanna Falkowska - "I persuaded the river, I persuaded the water"
Zuzanna Falkowska - "This little horned cow"
Jacek Sykulski - "Kary kunik, kary"
Jacek Sykulski - "First the garden grows garlic"
Jacek Sykulski - "There in the field a cross grows"
Jacek Sykulski - "Oh, listen to me, listen"
Marcin Wawruk - "Italian suite"
"The lark sings"
"From Siyradz"
"From Siyradz a cloud is coming"
"From Siyradz a storm is coming"
"Kasia grazed, grazed"
"And in Jasieniu it plays for me"
"In Podole in the cornfield"
"Oh, Dana"
and with the participation of the amateur ensemble of the Łódź Philharmonic Choir for the (Un)Resistant:
"Green rutka, juniper" - arranged by Mariusz Lewy
"Kary kunik, kary" - arranged by Mariusz Lewy
"Listen to me, listen" - arranged by Mariusz Lewy