Karol Szymanowski’s (1882 – 1937) magnificent oratorio, “Stabat Mater,” will be performed Wednesday, April 16 at 8 PM at St. Ignatius Loyola Church (980 Park Avenue, 83 / 84 Streets, Manhattan). Kent Tritle will lead the Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola and soloists in this great work, one of Szymanowski’s towering achievements and one of the outstanding choral works of the twentieth century.

Although it ranks with Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” and Faure’s “Requiem,” the “Stabat Mater” is rarely performed; the most recent hearing in New York was nearly 20 years ago, and this is a rare chance to hear this wonderful composition. Tickets are $35. Preferred seating is $45, students / seniors $25.

The concert includes Camille Saint-Saen’s monumental “Organ Symphony” (Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78) and Joseph Jpngens “Hymn for Organ and Orchestra.” At 7 PM, renowned organ virtuoso Ken Cowan, Assistant Professor of Organ at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, performs a pre-concert organ recital featuring music by Widor, Ducasse, Saint-Saí«ns and Dupre.

Additional information is available at Sacred Music in Sacred Spaces, by E-mail, or by telephone at (212) 288-2520.

Celebrating the 125th Birthday of Poland’s Greatest Modern Composer, Saturday, October 13 at 2pm, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

Featuring:

The Penderecki String Quartet;
Pianist Anna Kijanowska;
Mezzo Edyta Kulczak (Metropolitan Opera) and Pianist Steven Eldredge and;
Violinist Hanna Lachert (NY Philharmonic) and Pianist Helene Jeanney

The Polish Sejm has declared 2007 the Year of Szymanowski, and the Kosciuszko Foundation is presenting a special concert in his honor, which I am inviting you to attend and support.

Marek Jurek, Speaker of the Sejm, described Szymanowski’s achievements:

After a period of stagnation in Polish music following Chopin’s death, it was he [Szymanowski] who provided it with an invigorating impulse for further development. Today he is recognized as the spiritual father of 20th-century Polish music. He developed his own musical style, introducing elements of folk music, which became a guiding star for generations of Polish composers. Without his output, which has been seeing a huge renaissance over recent decades, Polish music culture would not have achieved a standard that gives it a prominent place in the world.

To mark the 125th birthday anniversary of Poland’s greatest modern composer, the Kosciuszko Foundation will present a —Szymanowski Gala Concert—on Saturday, October 13, at 2 PM, at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall.

Renowned Polish artists are featured in a concert of chamber, vocal, and piano solo music giving an overview of Szymanowski’s work. The Penderecki String Quartet will play both of his quartets; mezzo soprano Edyta Kulczak, from the Metropolitan Opera, will sing two groups of songs, including the folk-based —Kurpian Songs—. Folk music from Zakopane was likewise the inspiration for Szymanowski’s Mazurkas, from which Anna Kijanowska will play a group; and violinist Hanna Lachert, of the New York Philharmonic, will perform his Violin Sonata.

Tickets: $ 25 / $15
Special Discounts for KF Members / Students
Information / Reservations / Details: Call the Kosciuszko Foundation 212-734-2130
Concert supported by the Cierpik Szymanowski Fund.

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation announces its third annual summer concert, taking place Sunday, August 19, starting at 3:00 PM, at the Ethical Society Building, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

This year’s concert is dedicated to Karol Szymanowski in the 125th year of his birth, declared the Year of Szymanowski by the Polish Sejm. On this auspicious occasion, the national Kosciuszko Foundation, headquartered in New York, joins the Phildephia Chapter in honoring this seminal figure of 20th century music by co-sponsoring the event.

The concert features noted virtuosi and Szymanowski scholars, Blanka Bednarz, violinist and Matthew Bengtson, pianist, performing a musical program drawn from a cross-section of Szymanowsk’s works, including Etudes op. 4, Myths for Violin and Piano op. 30, Masques op. 34 and Mazurkas op. 50.

Blanka Bednarz performs regularly as part of the Atma Trio and together with Sinfonietta Polonia, a unique orchestral training program based in Poznan, Poland. Closer to Philadelphia, Dr. Bednarz is Professor of Music at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where she is also concertmaster of the Dickinson Orchestra.

Matthew Bengtson is a pianist, fortepianist and harpsichordist with a special interest in Karol Szymanowski’s music. His 2002 recording, “The Complete Mazurkas of Karol Szymanowski,” presents the subject of his doctoral dissertation, which was honored with the 2003 Stefan and Wanda Wilk Prize for Research in Polish Music.

Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) is regarded as the father of contemporary Polish music. Active in many genres, Szymanowski composed four symphonies, the opera “King Roger,” (which I saw when it was performed in Buffalo in 1992) the ballet “Harnasie” and his choral masterpiece “Stabat Mater.” Today these works enjoy a growing appreciation throughout the world.

Doors will open at 2:30 for refreshments before the concert. Following the concert, the artists will greet guests as they enjoy coffee and Polish pastries from Julia Bakery. Tickets are available in advance for $35 ($15 for students) from Fred Wolanin at 267-987-5347 or 215-752-9270, or at the door for $40 ($20 for students). Convenient off-street parking is available at the Parkway Corporation garage at 1845 Walnut St for a flat rate of $12 with validation at the concert.

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation gratefully acknowledges support from the Cierpik Fund administered by the Kosciuszko Foundation, Swift Mailing Services and the Szyszko Family, Julia Bakery and the Parkway Corporation.