On December 18, 2018 at 6.00 p.m., the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin will host the Advent Concert for The Independent. The first part will feature the world premiere of The Independent oratorio by Artur Cieślak.
The composition was written in the summer of 2018 to commemorate the centenary of Poland regaining its independence. It is intended for soprano, tenor, bass, reciting voice, mixed choir and orchestra. The oratorio consists of three parts. Each of them refers to a certain historical event, which is an important part of the struggle for independence. The first part is devoted to the November Uprising, the second part to the January Uprising and the third is related to the events of 1918. Fragments of the November Night and Liberation by Stanisław Wyspiański, poems by Kornel Ujejski and the legionary poet Józef Mączka, and fragments of Józef Piłsudski's and Stefan Żeromski's prose were used as a text. The stylistics of the musical language oscillates between sharp sounds with an avant-garde aftertaste and traditional euphonic solutions, which constantly permeate.
The Independent oratorio will be presented for the first time on December 18, 2018 at the Szczecin Philharmonic. The patron of the project is the Academy of Art in Szczecin. The performers will be lecturers and students of this university: Sylwia Burnicka-Kalischewska (soprano), Tomasz Krzysica (tenor), Janusz Lewandowski (bass-baritone), Krystyna Maksymowicz-Ambros (recitation), the Academy of Art choir prepared by Barbara Halec and the orchestra of the Academy of Arts under director of Norbert Twórczyński.
In the second part of the concert, traditional carols and Christmas songs will be performed by soloists and students of the Academy of Art in Szczecin. Preparation of students: Małgorzata Bornowska, Joanna Gajda, Barbara Halec, Tomasz Licak, Anna Tarnowska, and Jolanta Szczepaniak. Organ: Jakub Stefek. Piano: Michał Landowski.
The event co-financed from the budget of the Westpomeranian Region and the City of Szczecin. Co-organization: Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin, the Academia Nova Foundation.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.