AT THE SOURCE OF ROMANTICISM / CHAMBER CONCERT

Before the ideas of the Romantic era became embedded in the hearts and works of Polish composers for good, a period of transition can be observed in their music. At a time when partitioned Poland was suffocated by invaders, artists eagerly drew from the richness of the native folklore, and the exuberant concert life at the beginning of the 19th century was a space for the development of instrumental virtuosity and the emergence of the brilliant style. This trend gave us piano compositions by Maria Szymanowska – an outstanding pianist who enjoyed fame in entire Europe. The melodic figurations used in her preludes are reflected in Fryderyk Chopin’s compositions of this genre. There is no doubt that Józef Elsner – Chopin’s teacher – had a profound influence on shaping the Polish piano prodigy.

Both Szymanowska and Elsner are considered among the most important authors of the early Romantic song. Both of them wrote dumkas and ballads inspired by historical sources – as is the case of Duma Ludgardy, which drew on medieval tales – and romantic poems full of mystery. After all, Szymanowska is the author of one of the first musical interpretations of the texts of the Polish national poet – Adam Mickiewicz. The program of the concert is crowned with the charming songs of Fryderyk Chopin, where idyllic pictures painted with bright colors (Piosnka litewska, Śliczny chłopiec) will be heard next to the mournful tones of Smutna rzeka (“Sad River“).

PROGRAM

Maria Szymanowska (1789-1831)

Songs:
Pieśń z wieży, text: Adam Mickiewicz
Świtezianka, text: Adam Mickiewicz
Wilija naszych strumieni rodzica, text: Adam Mickiewicz

3 Preludes from the collection Vingt Exercices et Préludes pour le Pianoforte
E-flat minor No. 10
B-flat major No. 9 
C major No. 15

Józef Elsner (1769-1854)

Songs:
Pasterka, text: Kazimierz Brodziński
Duma Luidgardy, text: Franciszek Karpiński
Mikon i Filis, text: Kazimierz Brodziński

Rondo à la Mazurka in C major

Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

Nocturne in G minor op. 15 No. 3

Songs:
Wiosna, text: Stefan Witwicki
Smutna rzeka, text: Stefan Witwicki
Piosnka litewska, text: Ludwik Osiński
Śliczny chłopiec, text: Ludwik Osiński

PERFORMERS

MARTA BOBERSKA SOPRANO

KATARZYNA DROGOSZ HISTORICAL PIANO

Duration: approx. 1 h

The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.