Silesian Quartet and guests/Third concert from 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.

The third concert of the series will present the story of one of the most important artistic relationships in Tansman's life. Arriving in Paris in 1919, Maurice Ravel appeared on the path of a young composer — a master and friend, and at the same time a guide to the local musical environment. He introduced Tansman to conductors and publishers, and later accompanied him on, among other things, a tour of America. The concert program shows the closeness of their musical worlds. In the first part we will hear Tansman's 4th String Quartet from 1935, written for Rudolf Kolisch's ensemble, and Maurice Ravel's Quartet in F major, considered a masterpiece of chamber music. In the second part, the strings will be accompanied by a harp and wind instruments. We will hear two pieces for a similar composition: Trois pièces pour clarinette, harpe et quatuor, composed by Tansman in 1970 on commission from Radio française, and Maurice Ravel's earlier composition — Introduction and Allegro. Although the second of these works is essentially a septet, the composition is more like a harp concerto. It is this instrument that comes to the fore, leads the narrative and, shimmering with colors, gives the music lightness.

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; Jan Chłap — flute; Tomasz Żymła — clarinet; Zuzanna Elster — harp

Program: Alexander Tansman — String Quartet IV; Maurice Ravel — String Quartet in F major; Alexander Tansman — Trois pièces pour clarinette, harpe et quatuor; Maurice Ravel — Introduction and Allegro for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet