Silesian Quartet and guests/First concert of the series: Aleksander Tansman in France

The Silesian Quartet came into contact with the music of Aleksander Tansman at the very beginning of his artistic path. In the author's series of concerts, artists return to their important and inspiring work. Concerts under the slogan Aleksander Tansman in France create a coherent story about the composer born in Łódź, who found his artistic home in the environment of Parisian intellectuals of the early 20th century. Together with the invited guests, the Silesian Quartet discovers the richness of Tansman's chamber music and looks at other composers belonging to his French circle.

“It's the purest form of music — you can't cheat in a quartet,” Tansman said. In his oeuvre we find as many as nine string quartets. The second was created in Paris in 1922, and the creator dedicated it to his future wife Anna Eleanor Brociner. Critics from the beginning drew attention to the melodiousness of the work and the clear influence of Polish folk music. Polish culture — despite many years spent abroad — remained an important point of reference for Tansman. In 1949, commissioned by UNESCO on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Chopin's death, he wrote Tombeau de Chopin — a short composition referring to the Romantic style in its very construction: Nocturne, Mazurka, Postlude. Three pieces for Igor Stravinsky's string quartet from 1914 will bring a different color scheme, in which you can hear the colorful and rhythmic echoes of the Spring Festival composed just a year earlier. The program will be completed by César Franck's Piano Quintet. The work, coolly received by contemporaries, is excellent evidence that not every piece hits its time. Today, his symphonic momentum, wealth of ideas and compositional artistry delight listeners.

Julia Broniowska/NOSPR

Duration of the concert (including the break): approx. 100 minutes

This concert may be part of the “My Pass” offer. Check the details and compose “My Pass” at will, choosing from concerts of different series in the chamber and concert hall — more information.

Performers: Silesian Quartet; Szymon Krzeszowiec — 1st violin; Arkadiusz Kubica — 2nd violin; Łukasz Syrnicki — viola; Piotr Janosik — cello; Krzysztof Firlus — double bass; Łukasz Chrzęszczyk — piano; Marcin Trzęsiok — conducting

Program: Aleksander Tansman — String Quartet II; Alexander Tansman — Tombeau de Chopin for string quintet; Igor Stravinsky — 3 pieces for string quartet; César Franck — Piano Quintet