Time 19:00
The Palace on the Isle in the Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw
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O, learn to read what silent love hath writ:
To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.
(William Shakespeare)
Filled with love, the concert will open with two of Four Love Sonnets by Tadeusz Baird, composed in 1956 to texts by William Shakespeare translated by Maciej Słomczyński. These compositions, described by Jerzy Artysz as “incredible, […] striking in their simplicity,” are a finely crafted homage to the music of bygone eras. Next, we will hear the charming songs of Stanisław Moniuszko, a key figure in the development of Polish vocal lyricism, as well as works from Ignacy Jan Paderewski’s first song cycle. Although the renowned pianist selected texts from the most uplifting volume of poetry by Adam Asnyk, the prevailing emotions are still those of sorrow and longing for love, masterfully conveyed through musical means. The darker side of love also captivated Mieczysław Karłowicz (Z erotyków to words by Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer), yet this composer, who skillfully aligned the vocal and piano parts, also occasionally turned toward brighter themes. For instance, in Zasmuconej to words by Kazimierz Gliński, the sorrowful verses are followed by consolation and a hope for the return of joy. The program also includes songs rooted in the Romantic tradition by Witold Friemann, melodically enchanting pieces by Stanisław Niewiadomski, and vocal compositions of Jan Gall, which, as Zdzisław Jachimecki described, possess “a truly Italian sweetness.”
International compositions will take center stage in the second part of the concert. German lyricism will be represented by the atmospheric songs of Robert Schumann, who found inspiration in the texts of Heinrich Heine. Die Lotosblume seems to conceal a story of the composer’s own feelings for his future wife, a theme unmistakably spotlighted in the cycle Dichterliebe, Op. 48. Indeed, the opening measures of the first song in the collection, Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, include a quote from Clara Schumann’s piano concerto.
Finally, the concert will feature French songs full of brilliance and sweetness, yet not devoid of darkness. Gabriel Fauré’s Après un rêve echoes the character of an Italian canzona, while in Chanson romanesque by Maurice Ravel – a composer fascinated by dance – one can hear references to the sensual Spanish guajira. The program also includes the deeply expressive Extase by Henri Duparc, one of the few compositions the composer chose to preserve for posterity (having destroyed most of his works). The evening will conclude with the charming song Plaisir d’amour by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, which not only inspired arrangements for various ensembles but also served as the musical foundation for one of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits.
PROGRAM
Tadeusz Baird (1928-1981)
Sonnet 23 Spójrz, co tu ciche serce wypisało from the cycle Four Love Sonnets
Sonnet 91 Drwię, mając ciebie, z całej ludzkiej pychy from the cycle Four Love Sonnets
Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Nawrócona
Polna różyczka
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941)
Gdy ostatnia róża zwiędła
Chłopca mego mi zabrali
Mieczysław Karłowicz (1876-1909)
Zasmuconej
Z erotyków
Witold Friemann (1889-1977)
Cudne oczy
Noc majowa
Stanisław Niewiadomski (1857-1936)
Jakże Cię mam brać dziewczyno
Zosia
Między nami nic nie było
Jan Gall (1856-1912)
Gdybym był młodszy, dziewczyno
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Die Lotosblume from the cycle Myrthen Op. 25
Widmung from the cycle Myrthen Op. 25
An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust from the cycle Frauenliebe und Leben Op. 42
Er, der Herrlichste von allen from the cycle Frauenliebe und Leben Op. 42
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai from the cycle Dichterliebe Op. 48
Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne from the cycle Dichterliebe Op. 48
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Après un rêve
Henri Duparc (1848-1933)
Extase
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Chanson romanesque from the cycle Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
Jean-Paul-Égide Martini (1741-1816)
Plaisir d’amour
PERFORMERS
TATIANA HEMPEL-GIERLACH SOPRANO
JUSTYNA STĘPIEŃ SOPRANO
ROBERT SZPRĘGIEL BARITONE
DAGMARA DUDZIŃSKA GRAND PIANO
Duration: approx. 1 h
The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.
