The programme includes Violin Concerto No. 1 by Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937), the Concerto for Orchestra by Witold Lutosławski (1913-1994) and the Concerto for String Orchestra by Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969).
Poland’s Marta Gardolińska, who currently serves as Music Director of the Opéra National de Lorraine in France, appears on the conductor’s podium, and South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim, Second Prize winner at the 2016 Henryk Wieniawski Competition in Poznań, is the soloist in the Szymanowski Concerto.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra writes on its website: “There’s a special kinship between Scotland and Poland – two nations with stirring histories and dauntless spirits."
It adds: "Grażyna Bacewicz stood her own ground in a time of tyranny, writing music as characterful as it is defiant. Karol Szymanowski imagined new realms of musical sensuality, and the dazzling young South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim is passionate about his silken, shimmering First Violin Concerto. Then, to finish, Witold Lutosławski launches fabulous musical fireworks into the grey skies of communist Poland. Fiery, playful, and utterly original his Concerto for Orchestra is one of post-war music’s true showstoppers, and it’s a special favourite of guest conductor Marta Gardolińska. She won’t hold back today."
(mk/gs)