Classical Music in Poland

Opening Concert Lutosławski Radio Studio Warsaw, 16 June, 19.00  
Perhaps it is a truism to observe that in life everything is in a state of constant flux at the sub-atomic, micro and macro levels. In quantum mechanics the nature of light has proven to be both particle and wave. Meditation on this mystery indicates one must always move forward in life or it fades away like day into night. Even the artistic nature of the Warszawska Opera Kameralna must obey such laws of physical evolution. Tonight I listened and watched a valiant attempt to maintain in spirit and professionalism, a glorious past operatic tradition in Warsaw. Inevitably for those old enough to remember, the ghost of the founder and former artistic director of the company, Stefan Sutkowski, hovered over the proceedings, in the main rather benignly.

Mozart and his immortal music is bound to survive in this rejuvenated capital of a country that once did not even appear on maps but was merely a state of mind within the psyche …

Initially I think it interesting and instructive to briefly examine the rather exotic Polish-Turkish relations of the past. You may have already read this on a previous post but it remains extremely relevant and you may  have already come across it.

Over the centuries this fascinating and involved subject has had a profound influence on Polish history. This was especially true in the 17th century at the spectacular Siege and subsequent Battle of Vienna (12th September 1683) that witnessed the victory of the Polish Husaria or Winged Cavalry under the command of King Jan Sobieski over the vastly superior military forces of the Ottoman Empire under the Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha. 
Historic relations between the two countries were initiated around 1414 with a Polish mission to the Ottoman Empire. Many wars followed over territorial claims in the Back Sea region. This was balanced in a way by supportive collaboration against the Habsburgs and the emerging Grand Duchy of Musco…

London has irresistible musical and artistic attractions and over the last three weeks I have sampled what the great metropolis has to offer. However during my aesthetic promenade among the paintings of Modigliani, Picasso, Monet at the National Gallery and the Impressionists at the Courtauld, I did not anticipate I would have one of the great musical experiences of my life - a recital by the visionary Polish musician and pianist Piotr Anderszewski interpreting Bach and Beethoven at the Barbican.  
The nineteenth century English poet William Wordsworth spoke of poetry as only able to be produced by
'...a man who being possessed of more than usual organic sensibility, has also thought long and deep…’ 
From the opening of the three Preludes and Fugues from Book II of Das Wohltemperierte Klavier we felt incontrovertibly to be in the presence of such a philosophically reflective and imaginative artist. This became increasingly clear and utterly convincing as the recital progressed.
The fi…