Quasi una fantasia — Beethoven and Górecki | Pławner | Orkiestra Kameralna

Performers: Piotr Pławner — violin/conductor

Silesian Chamber Orchestra

Program: Henryk Mikołaj Górecki — Quasi una fantasia 78 in development for string orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven — Romance No. 1 in G major, Op. 40

Ludwig van Beethoven — Romance No. 2 in F major, Op. 50

Ludwig van Beethoven — Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor Op. 27 No. 2 Sonata quasi una fantasia in preparation for string orchestra

The winning composition of the H. M. Górecki Composer Competition — premiere

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

Quasi una fantasia — the term used by Beethoven for his famous Lunar Sonata — will be the theme of the concert combining the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. Both composers are distinguished by music that goes beyond classical schemes, which can be heard in the Beethoven Romances and the famous Sonata quasi una fantasia, known as the Moon Sonata, as well as in the composition Quasi una fantasia inspired by it by Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. The evening will become a meeting of two musical personalities, for whom the main thing was the emotions hidden under the surface of the sound.

The programme will include Quasi una fantasia op. 78 by Henryk Mikołaj Górecki in an elaboration for string orchestra — a four-part work with clearly contrasted links. The composition opens with the meditative Largo Sostenuto, a city whose sound space evokes the ringing of bells and introduces an atmosphere of concentration and anxiety. The reflective fragments contrast with parts full of energy and violent tensions, in which the rhythmic motor skills characteristic of Górecki and the repetitiveness of motifs are revealed. The economy of musical material, long harmonic planes and a specific sense of “stopped time” create a musical language immediately recognizable as the patron style of the Silesian Philharmonic.

During the concert we will also hear two Romances for violin and orchestra by Ludwig van Beethoven — G major op. 40 and F major op. 50. Beethoven conducts the violin part in an extremely vocal and lyrical way, giving the instrument an almost vocal character. The solo parts will be performed by Piotr Pławner, combining the role of conductor and violinist during this evening.

A special place will also be given to Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor Op. 27 No. 2 “Sonata quasi una fantasia” in preparation for string orchestra. In this piece, Beethoven consciously departed from the classical construction of the sonata, replacing it with a more casual, fanciful musical narrative. The atmospheric Adagio Sostenuto, full of inner tension and dark expression, contrasts with the dramatic finale of Presto agitato, whose vibrancy and emotional intensity already foreshadow the aesthetics of romanticism. Interestingly, the term “Lunar” did not come from Beethoven himself - it appeared only after the composer's death.

The evening will be completed by the premiere of the winning composition of the Henryk Mikołaj Górecki International Composers' Competition — a symbolic meeting of tradition with the latest music and the young generation of artists.

CONCERT INFORMANT
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

Project under the patronage of the City of Katowice

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