Mahler — Symphony No. 4 | Curler | Krauze | Shemet | Symphony Orchestra

Performers: Joanna Kędzior — soprano

Zygmunt Krauze — piano

Yaroslav Shemet — conductor

Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Program: Zygmunt Krauze — Try to sing the mutilated world for soprano and symphony orchestra (premiere)

Zygmunt Krauze — Piano Concerto II

Gustav Mahler — Symphony No. 4 in G major

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 4 in G major is one of the most remarkable works in the history of symphony. Deprived of the monumental pomp characteristic of many of the composer's later works, it impresses with its clarity of form, subtle humor and lyrical view of the world. Mahler leads the listener from the graceful and light images of everyday life to the final vision of the sky as seen through the eyes of a child — simple, sincere and full of delight. The soprano part in the final link of the symphony will be performed by Joanna Kędzior, and the Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Yaroslav Shemet.

Although Symphony No. 4 was written at the turn of the 20th century, its message remains surprisingly timely. Mahler does not portray a vision of an ideal world, but reminds us of the ability to find beauty despite uncertainty, transience and human limitations. Of particular importance is the final song Das himmlische Leben (Heavenly Life), in which children's imagination becomes a source of hope and inner peace.

The first part of the concert will be completed by two works by Zygmunt Krauzy — one of the most outstanding contemporary Polish composers and pianists. The audience will hear the premiere of the work Try to sing the mutilated world for soprano and symphony orchestra to the words of the famous poem by Adam Zagajewski. This moving text, one of the most important works of contemporary Polish poetry, reminds us of the need to see the good and the beautiful even in a reality marked by the experience of loss and suffering. The solo part will be performed by Joanna Kędzior.

The program will also include Zygmunt Krauze's 2nd Piano Concerto, the solo part of which will be performed by the composer himself. For many decades he has remained one of the most important figures of Polish contemporary music, and his works are performed on the most important stages of Europe, America and Asia. Krauz's distinctive musical language, based on original thinking about time, space and timbre of sound, earned him recognition both as a creator and performer of his own works.

The concert programme will combine two distant musical worlds — Mahler's late Romantic vision and Zygmunt Krauz's contemporary reflection. At the center of both, however, remains man: his sensitivity, his capacity for delight and his constant search for meaning and beauty.

CONCERT INFORMANT

The concert takes place as part of the 8th Eufonie International Festival of Music of Central and Eastern Europe

Concert as part of the XIV International Days of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki Episodes

Co-financed from the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund — a state special purpose fund, as part of the “Music” program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance

Co-financed from the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund — a state special purpose fund, as part of the program “Composer Orders”, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance

Project under the patronage of the City of Katowice

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