February 17, 2010
Honoring Poland’s Musical Legacy in the 20th Century and a
U.S. Premiere
La Jolla, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2010) — presents its fourth concert of the 55th season with Choral Director David Chase conducting orchestra, chorus, and soloists in music from two of Poland’s most notable composers: Karol Szymanowski and Krzysztof Penderecki.
The concert opens with the U.S. Premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki’s touching Chaconne – In Memoriam John Paul II. Following are two pieces by Karol Szymanowski: his last major piano work Symphonie Concertante for Piano & Orchestra featuring pianist Peter Gach, and his greatest choral setting, Stabat Mater, featuring the 130-voice chorus and guest artists soprano Renee Calvo, mezzo-soprano Janelle DeStefano, and bass Philip Larson.
“Our contribution to the Chopin 200th anniversary year is a concert of his most distinctive successors,” says Chase. “Chopin’s heritage is best heard in Szymanowski’s work -- in his similar interest in incorporating Polish folk music. Penderecki, who was a leader in the 1960’s Polish avant-garde, has more recently developed a lush and gentle style evident in the Chaconne. These pieces help illuminate our view of Chopin’s legacy.”
Born in 1933, Krzysztof Penderecki’s early works show the influence of Anton Webern and Pierre Boulez (Igor Stravinsky was another influence). His international recognition began in 1959 at the Warsaw Autumn Festival, but the composition that truly brought him to international attention was Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima in 1960. Penderecki’s Chaconne, written in 2005 in memory of the first Polish Pope, receives its U.S. premiere in this concert. Written for string orchestra, it has been described by critics as touching and immediately appealing.
A composer and pianist, Karol Maciej Szymanowski (1882–1937) was born into Russian-occupied Poland. He counted among his musical influences Alexander Scriabin and the impressionism of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. But he also drew much influence from his countryman Chopin and from Polish folk music. Like Chopin he wrote a number of mazurkas for piano, and he was specifically influenced by folk music from the Polish Highlands. His unique symphony for piano and orchestra, dedicated to the great pianist Artur Rubinstein, is expertly interpreted in this concert by Palomar College Artist in Residence Peter Gach, who in 1998 performed at the composer’s home in Zakopane, Poland, at the invitation of the Karol Szymanowski Society.
The concert concludes with soloists and chorus joining the orchestra for Szymanowski’s haunting and beautiful Stabat Mater. This choral master work grew out of the composer’s study of sixteenth-century Polish liturgical music and was intended as a “Polish Requiem.”
The performances take place March 13-14, 2010 in Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD. Concert times are 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Individual tickets are $29 general, $26 senior, and $15 student. Group discounts are available. Parking is free. A pre-concert lecture is offered one hour prior to concert times. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the LJS&C office at (858) 534-4637.
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, San Diego’s oldest and largest community orchestra and chorus, is a non-profit musical performing group dedicated to inspiring San Diego with the joy of music. Its 110-person orchestra and 130-person chorus perform groundbreaking orchestral and choral music along with traditional favorites from the classical repertoire. During the 55th season, maestro Steven Schick shares the podium with Choral Director David Chase.
