Light in the dark

Thursday Concerts, choral — National Philharmonic Choir conducted by Bartosz Michałowski and music by Francis Poulenc and Morten Lauridsen.

Bartosz Michałowski, photo: Grzesiek Mart

What is left of us in a world of uncertainty, chaos and loneliness? Poulenc replies — freedom! Lauridsen seeks solace in tender mindfulness. Although their music grows out of completely different experiences and aesthetics, they both lead us to what is most human — hope, the need for closeness and the salvation of inner sensitivity.
Figure Humaine by French composer Francis Poulenc is one of the most unique works of the 20th century. Cantata for double choir a cappella, created during the German occupation of France to the poetry of Paul Éluard in 1943-1944 and became a symbol of the struggle for humanity. The composition, consisting of eight parts, gradually becomes more and more gloomy and disturbing. The final Liberté, however, breaks this trend by being one of the most important musical manifestos of freedom. Poulenc, whose music is famous for its finesse lightness, does not create a pathetic monument despite the theme of the work. On the contrary, his work pulsates with tenderness and hope, leading from darkness to the liberating power of community.
In Morten Lauridsen's Nocturnes, the night envelops special and diverse experiences of sensitivity. The American composer draws on the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, Pablo Neruda and James Agee to create music full of admiration for the fragility of human experience. The extremely intimate sound of the choir, suspended between contemplation and a sense of inner comfort, gradually tones the emotions. From the darkness of the night a dawn emerges, which we look to with hope.
The National Philharmonic Choir belongs to the most outstanding Polish vocal ensembles, valued for their exceptional sound culture, precision and repertoire versatility — from early music to contemporary works. The band regularly collaborates with the most important conductors and orchestras of the world, and its recordings have repeatedly won prestigious awards, including Grammys.
Choirmaster Bartosz Michałowski is one of the most respected Polish choral conductors, known for his extraordinary attention to timbre, detail and emotional depth of the music performed. Under his leadership, the National Philharmonic Choir develops a distinctive sound and exceptional interpretive intensity.

Maria Peryte