The opening concert features the Volosi string quintet which, as the programme note writes: “combines traditional folk music from the Beskidy Mountains [in southern Poland] with a vast array of musical genres […] from rock and punk to folk, jazz and film music”.
”Focus on Poland” also comprises concerts by the Wrocław Baroque Ensemble performing Offertoria et Communiones totius anni by 17th-century Polish composer Mikołaj Zieleński, and the Leopoldinum Orchestra from Wrocław, with a programme including Concerto for String Orchestra by Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969) and Orawa by Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013).
As part of their Edinburgh Festival Residency, the Leopoldinum Orchestra is also giving a special concert in tribute to the legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin, featuring Festival Director Nicola Benedetti and Alexander Sitkovetsky, two of Menuhin’s former pupils, as the soloists. In addition to music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Edward Elgar, and Béla Bartók, the programme of the concert includes the Violin Concerto by Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991), the prominent Polish composer who spent the best part of his life in Britain.
A selection of works by Bacewicz, Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) and Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880) is to be performed by South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim and German pianist Thomas Hoppe.
“Focus on Poland” highlights also include a recital by internationally-acclaimed Polish pianist Piotr Anderszewski.
The opening events of “Focus on Poland” are to be to attended by Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska.
“Focus on Poland” is part of the UK/Poland Season 2025 project organized by the British Council, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw and the Polish Cultural Institute in London. It lasts until November and comprises more than 100 events in 40 cities in both countries.
(mk/tf)