43rd Music in Old Cracow Festival

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - Friday, August 31, 2018

  • Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - Friday, August 31, 2018
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Acclaimed instrumentalists, enchanting chamber music, outstanding vocal groups, exceptional interpretations, unusual repertoires, all set in the beautiful royal city of Kraków… The “Music in Old Cracow” Festival has a long and celebrated reputation. It delighted audiences at a time when access to global culture was limited in Poland, and it continues to delight us now when great events and performances by world-famous stars are (fortunately!) an almost daily occurrence. This year’s events of the 43rd edition are traditionally held in Old Kraków between 15 and 31 August.

Dazzling
Two names stand out from this year’s lineup: Grigory Sokolov and Steven Isserlis. We could argue long and hard which place they would take on lists of top ten virtuosos of their instruments, but there can be no doubt that we are dealing with some of the greatest stars of piano and cello music.
Tickets for Sokolov’s concerts – according to many critics the greatest pianist working today – sell out instantly wherever he performs around the globe. One of the festival’s high points is that we can regularly hear his elegant, poetic interpretations: recitals by the Russian maestro have been inaugurating “Music in Old Cracow” for several years now. This year is no different, with Sokolov appearing at the Kraków Philharmonic on 15 August with a selection of Haydn’s sonatas and Schubert’s Four Impromptus.
Rumour has it that Steven Isserlis’ career took over a decade to take off. The artist swears he acquired snow blindness from staring at his empty concert calendar! It’s hard to believe now, listening to the powerful, emotional performances by the cello virtuoso admired at concert halls all over the globe. As memorable for the distinctive, soft sound of his Stradivarius as for his flowing locks, Isserlis performs Bach’s solo Suite No. 3 and Franck’s Sonata in A minor, the latter accompanied by Ya-Fei Chuang on piano (17 August, Kraków Philharmonic).

Vocal virtuosos
“Music in Old Cracow” also has an outstanding section of vocal performances. We welcome back Joel Frederiksen, who captivates the atmosphere and sounds of 17th-century Rome with his incredible basso profondo and lute. He is supported in his performance of works by Carissimi, Frescobaldi and other masters of the Eternal City by the lutenist and theorbist Axel Wolf (29 August, Church of St Martin).
On 23 August, the Wieliczka Salt Mine welcomes the Amarcord ensemble, comprising former members of the St Thomas Boys Choir from Leipzig, centuries ago led by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. They sing everything from mediaeval chorales to soul and jazz, for five male voices a cappella. And of course they do this beautifully, as revealed by their numerous prizes (including two ECHO Klassik awards). In Kraków, Amacord presents a programme of Renaissance compositions arranged to follow the order of a Holy Mass. As well as works by Desprez and Ockeghem, the concert includes a nod to Polish composers with Marcin Paligon’s motet Rorate coeli penned for singers from Wawel Cathedral and excerpts from the 16th-century anonymous Missa sine nomine.
Sacral music from Orthodox Christian traditions is presented by the Tebe Poem Krasnoyarsk Municipal Choral Ensemble under the baton of Konstantin Jakobson. The concert, resounding at the Franciscan Church on 19 August, features traditional Russian Orthodox songs as well as compositions by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Bortniansky.
The Golden Gate Quartet reaches for songs from yet another religious tradition. The American ensemble was founded in 1934 – predating the opening of San Francisco’s most famous bridge! – and continues performing a wide-ranging repertoire with a focus on gospel and spirituals. Down by the Riverside, When the Saints Go Marching In, Go, Tell It on the Mountain, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and many more resound at the Franciscan Church on 25 August. Oh, Happy Day!

Myriad sounds
And we have barely listed half of this year’s festival guests! We welcome back the Lviv Virtuosos: during the concert under the baton of Stanisław Gałoński, founder and artistic director of the “Music in the Old Cracow”, they are joined by Collegium Zieleński, Krakowscy Rorantyści and Gloria Choir to present some of the greatest achievements of early Polish music including Bogurodzica, the hymn Gaude Mater Polonia and Gorczycki’s Completorium (16 August, Church of Corpus Christi). Collegium Marianum from Prague, led by the flautist Jana Semerádová, boldly navigate their way through Naval Battles – a concert of works by Czech (!) composers commemorating confrontations at Trafalgar and Camperdown (26 August, courtyard of Collegium Maius). On 27 August, the Tempel Synagogue hosts Michael Martin Kofler, first flautist with the Munich Philharmonic, in a double role of soloist and conductor of the Sinfonietta Cracovia orchestra, while on 24 August, the Norbertine Sisters Church welcomes Poland’s finest flute virtuoso Łukasz Długosz with his wife Agata (flautist as well) accompanied by Marek Toporowski on harpsichord. Aerophones rule supreme again on 22 August at the courtyard of Nowodworski Collegium, with a 20th-century repertoire performed by Paweł Gusnar on saxophone and the Kraków Wind Quintet.

Jubilee
The festival finale marks an important anniversary: on 31 August, the Church of St Catherine welcomes the Collegium Zieleński vocal ensemble and the Beethoven Academy Orchestra presenting works by Krzysztof Penderecki, including Agnus Dei from The Polish Requiem, Sanctus. Benedictus from Missa brevis, O gloriosa Virginum, and Cello Concerto featuring the soloist Bartosz Koziak. The concert is led by Maciej Tworek, one of the most accomplished interpreters of works by the Polish composer celebrating his 85th birthday this year.

“Music in Old Cracow” also features Polish, Russian and Argentinian songs (Joanna Freszel), two harpsichords (Elżbieta Stefańska and Mariko Kato), guitars (Piotr Przedbora), organ (Michał Białko) and the Young Talents section… We can’t possibly list everything, but all concerts are simply unmissable! (Barbara Skowrońska)

15 August 2018, 7:30pm
Kraków Philharmonic

Grigory Sokolov (piano)

J. Haydn Sonata No. 32 Op. 53 No. 4 in G minor, Sonata No. 47 op.14 No. 6 in B minor, Sonata No. 49 Op. 30 No. 2 in C sharp minor
F. Schubert 4 Impromptus Op. posth. 142

Tickets: PLN 45-100

16 August 2018, 8:15pm
Church of Corpus Christi

Collegium Zieleński
Królewscy Rorantyści
Gloria Choir
Lviv Virtuosos
Stanisław Gałoński (conductor)

Bogurodzica
M. Dylecki Woskresienski kanon
G.G. Gorczycki Completorium
Wincenty of Kielcza Gaude Mater Polonia

Tickets: PLN 40/30/20

17 August 2018, 7:30pm
Kraków Philharmonic

Steven Isserlis (cello)
Ya-Fei Chuang (piano)

J.S. Bach Suite No. 3 in C major BWV 1009
B. Martinů Sonata No. 1
R. Schumann Fantasiestücke Op. 73
C. Franck Sonata in A minor

Tickets: PLN 45-100

18 August 2018, 5pm
Florianka Recital Hall

Young Talents

Appasionato Piano Duo
Piano Trio

I.J. Paderewski Tatra Album Op. 12
W.A. Mozart Sonata in D major K. 381/123a
C. Debussy Petite suite
F. Poulenc Sonata piano à quatre mains

Tickets: PLN 10

18 August 2018, 7:30pm
Gallery in Sukiennice

Elżbieta Stefańska, Mariko Kato (harpsichords)

F. Couperin 2 Musettes
J.S. Bach Concerto in C major for two harpsichords BWV 1061
W.F. Bach Sonata in F major for two harpsichords F.10
M. Clementi Sonata in B flat major for two harpsichords Op. 1 bis
W.A. Mozart Sonata in D major for two harpsichords K. 448/375a

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

19 August 2018, 5pm
Florianka Recital Hall

Young Talents

Lidia Sosnowska (soprano)
Piotr Jaworski (piano)

in programme: F. Schubert, K. Szymanowski

Tickets: PLN 10

19 August 2018, 8:15pm
Franciscan Church

“Tebe Poem” Choir
Konstantin Jakobson (conductor)

in programme: A. Kiselev, P. Tchaikovsky, S. Rachmaninoff, A. Labinski, P. Chesnokov, D. Bortniansky, traditional Orthodox Church music

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

20 August 2018, 7:30pm
Florianka Recital Hall

Joanna Freszel (soprano)
Bartłomiej Kominek (piano)

F. Chopin Piosnka litewska, Życzenie, Moja pieszczotka
W. Żeleński Łzy, Wierzba, Słowiczku mój
S. Rachmaninoff Zdies haraszo, Nie poj krasavica, Sen
C. Debussy Mandoline, C‘est l‘extase, Gwiezdna noc
I.J. Paderewski Gdy ostatnia róża zwiędła, Nagiere
A. Ginastera Cinco canciones populares argentinas, Chacarera, Triste, Zamba, Arrorro, Gato
B. Britten Royauté, Marine, Phrase, Depart
S. Zamuszko Kot, Drób, Krowa, Świnia, Żmija

Tickets: PLN 40/30/20

21 August 2018, 7:30pm
Jesuit Church

Lviv Virtuosos
Serhij Burko (conductor)

M. Skoryk Three Fantasias, Partita No. 6
A. Kos-Anatolski Passacaglia
M. Kołessa Suite ”W horach”
W. Kamiński Bogurodzica
O. Kozarenko Sinfonia estravaganza

Tickets: PLN 40/30/20

22 August 2018, 7:30pm
Nowodworski Collegium
courtyard

Paweł Gusnar (saxophone)
Kraków Wind Quartet

A. von Zemlinsky Humoreske
P. Łukaszewski Wind Quartet
A. Malawski Elements of the Tatra (Morskie Oko)
K. Dębski Cantabile in h
M. Arnold Three Shanties
F. Farkas Maschere
D. Milhaud Scaramouche

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

23 August 2018, 9pm
Wieliczka Salt Mine

Amarcord

Chorale Introitus: RESURREXI, ET ADHUC TECUM SUM
Marcin Paligon (ca. 1560 – ca. 1620) Introitus RORATE CAELI
Pierre de la Rue (ca. 1452-1518) KYRIE from Missa Pascale
Anonymous (16 c.?) GLORIA from Missa sine nomine
Chorale Graduale: HAEC DIES, QUAM FECIT DOMINUS
Antoine Brumel (ca. 1460 – ca. 1520) REGINA CAELI
Wipo of Burgundy (ca. 995-1050) Sequence VICTIMAE PASCHALI LAUDES   
Josquin des Préz (ca. 1440-1521) VICTIMAE PASCHALI LAUDES (Easter sequence, ca. 1480)
Jehan Ockeghem (ca. 1410-1497) CREDO from Kyrie Gloria Credo à5
Chorale Offertorium: TERRA TREMUIT
Anonymous (16 c.?) SANCTUS from Missa sine nomine
Chorale PATER NOSTER
Anonim polski (16 c.?) AGNUS DEI from Missa sine nomine
Chorale Communio: PASCHA NOSTRUM IN LOCO DEO GRATIAS
Loyset Compère (ca. 1445-1518) DA PACEM, DOMINE from Missa de D.N.J.C.
Josquin des Préz NYMPHES DES BOIS – LA DÉPLORATION SUR LA MORT DE JEHAN OCKEGHEM

Tickets: PLN 60/50/40

24 August 2018, 7:30pm
Norbertine Sisters Church

Łukasz Długosz, Agata Długosz (flutes)
Marek Toporowski (harpsichord)

G.P. Telemann Trio Sonata in C major (Der getreue Musikmeister)
G.F. Handel Chaconne in G major HWV 435
J.S. Bach Trio Sonata (Musikalisches Opfer)
A. Vivaldi Sonata in G minor

Tickets: PLN 40/30/20

25 August 2018, 7:30pm
St Catherine’s Church

The Golden Gate Quartet

in programme: gospel and spirituals songs

Tickets: PLN 100/80/60

26 August 2018, 7:30pm
Collegium Maius UJ
courtyard
Naval Battles

Collegium Marianum

J.Ch.F. Bach Sonata in E minor
J.A. Benda Sonata in G
V. Jírovec Trio in D No. 6 Op. 6
J. Haydn Piano Trio in D major Hob XV:16, Sailor’s Song Hob. XXVIa:31
J.K. Vaňhal Grand combat naval de Trafalgar et Mort de Nelson
J.L. Dusík Combat naval

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

27 August 2018, 7:30pm
Tempel Synagogue

Michael Martin Kofler (flute, conductor)
Sinfonietta Cracovia

W.A. Mozart Divertimento in D major K. 136, Flute Concerto in G major K. 313
C. Stamitz Flute Concerto in G major Op. 29
F. Schubert Symphony in B flat major

Tickets: PLN 60/50/40

28 August 2018, 7:30pm
Old Synagogue

Piotr Przedbora (guitar)

Anunymous Testament Amelii (arr. Piotr Przedbora)
A. Vivaldi/J.S. Bach Concerto in D major BWV 972 (arr. Judicaël Perroy)
F. Sor Introduction and Variations on the theme by Mozart Op. 9
J.K. Mertz Elegie
G. Regondi Air varié de l’opera de Bellini „I Capuleti e i Montecchi”
A. Piazzolla Invierno porteno (Las cuatro estaciones portenas, arr. Sergio Assad)
I. Albéniz I Suite espanola Op. 47 (Sevilla)

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

29 August 2018, 7:30pm
St Martin’s Church
Battaglia

Joel Frederiksen (basso profondo, archlute)
Axel Wolf (theorbo, lute)

G. Romano Caccini Dalla porta d’oriente
G. Kapsberger Toccata V, Pietá, pietá di chi sì more, Toccata and Corrente for lute
A. Falconieri Armilla ingrata
G.G. Frescobaldi Donna siam rei di morte
G. Kapsberger Battaglia for theorbo
G. Romano Caccini Chi mi confort’ahimé
G. Kapsberger Avrilla mia, Canario for theorbo
G. Puliaschi Locar sopra gl’abissi
G. Zamboni Romano VI Sonata for lute in G minor
G. Carissimi Lucifer
G. Kapsberger Toccatta prima for theorbo
G.F. Sances O vos omnes

Tickets: PLN 50/40/30

30 August 2018, 8:15pm
Bernardine Church

Michał Białko (organ)

D. Buxtehude Preludium in C major BuxWV 136
J.S. Bach Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV 663, Concerto in C major BWV 594
J. Brahms Elf Choralvorspiele Op. 122 (selection)
F. Mendelssohn Sonata in D minor Op. 65 No. 6
M. Reger Fantasie and Fugue in D minor Op. 135b

admission free

31 August 2018, 7:30pm
St Catherine’s Church

Bartosz Koziak (cello)
Collegium Zieleński
Beethoven Academy Orchestra
Maciej Tworek (conductor)

K. Penderecki Agnus Dei (Polish Requiem), Psalm XXX (Psalms of David), Sanctus. Benedictus (Missa brevis), O gloriosa Virginum, Concerto for cello and chamber orchestra, Sinfonietta per archi

Tickets: PLN 80/60/40

For whom: for seniors, for families
Other: open air event
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