He was an artist aware of his unique talent, a self-proclaimed obsessive of the “idea of Poland”, and a world-wise composer seeking inspiration from Wagner, Stravinsky and French Impressionists. The Kraków Philharmonic recalls music by its patron during the 2nd Szymanowski / Poland / World Festival, presenting music by the Polish composer set in the context of the era and shown through a prism of places, people and styles which played an important role in his life and work. Thie editioon of the event focuses on the music of composers froom Central and Eastern Europe, to recall the fact that Slavic culture played and important role as an inspiration in Szymanowski's oeuvre. Therefore, his Symphonie concertante, Violin Concert No. 2 and symphonic rendition of ballet-pantomime Harnasie resound along the works of such composers as Bohuslav Martinů, Eugen Suchoň, Krešimir Baranovićia and Zoltán Kodály, presented by Kraków Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, as well as orchestras from Ostava, Žilina and Zagreb.

The final concerts of the festival (24 and 25 September) will also be the inauguration of Kraków Philharmonic's 2021/2022 artistic season.

4 September 2021, 6pm
Kateřina Kněžíková – soprano
Tomáš Vrána – piano
Leoš Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra in Ostrava
Robert Jindra – conductor
Bohuslav Martinů Kouzelné noci. Tří písně for čínské texty for soprano and orchestra

• V cizině 
• Jarem nedotčená 
• Tajemná flétna

Karol Szymanowski

• Penthesilea Op. 18
• Symphonie concertante No. 4 Op. 60

7 September 2021, 7:30pm
Teo Gertler – violin
Gustáv Beláček – baritone
Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina
Leoš Svárovský – conductor
Eugen Suchoň

• Malá suita s passacagliou Op. 3
• Giocondita from the cycle Tri piesne
• Horalská suita from the cycle Obrázky zo Slovenska 
  • Raphsody „Na vysokej hore” 
  • Nocturno „V noci pod horami” 
  • Danza slovacca – Veselica za horami

Ján Cikker Spomienky for 5 wind instruments and string orchestra Op. 25
Ľubica Čekovská Shadow Scale
Ilja Zeljenka Musica Slovaca for violin solo and strings

17 September 2021, 7:30pm
Ewa Tracz – soprano
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
Alexander Humala – conductor
Karol Szymanowski

• Symphony No. 2 in B flat major Op. 19 (1910 orignal version)
• The Love Songs of Hafiz Op. 26

24 September 2021, 7:30pm
25 September 2021, 6pm
Tomasz Warmijak – tenor
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Alexander Humala – conductor
Zoltán Kodály Dances of Galánta
Karol Szymanowski Harnasie Op. 55