The Summer Organ and Chamber Music Concerts in Władysławowo are among the oldest and most highly regarded music festivals in Poland. The theme of the 52nd edition, taking place from July 3 to August 28 at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is “Faith, Hope, and Love.” The concerts, held on summer Thursdays at 8:00 PM, provide a space for quiet reflection and finding community in universal ideas that unite people regardless of age, background, or experience.
Admission is free!
The festival was initiated in 1973 by Professor Eugeniusz Brańka, a composer, conductor, and organist, along with the then-parish priest of the Assumption Church, Father Witold Stańczak. Today, the festival is organized by the Center for Culture, Promotion and Sport of Władysławowo, in cooperation with the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Artistic supervision is entrusted to the initiator’s son, Dr. Karol Lipiński-Brańka, who continues his father’s legacy while ensuring a high artistic standard for the event. He will also appear as a soloist.
This year’s festival lineup includes renowned organists such as Józef Serafin, Jan Bokszczanin, Nicola Sari, Tadeusz Barylski, Maciej Zakrzewski, Mateusz Rzewuski, Paweł Pawłowicz, Ewa Polska, and Katarzyna Olszewska. Also featured are oboist Michał Mogiła, violinist Szymon Telecki, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kulig, actor Aleksander Podolak, and acclaimed ensembles including Exploratori Ensemble, Artrio, and the 441Hz Chamber Choir. The Festival Chamber Orchestra will perform twice, as is tradition.
The church’s interior and excellent acoustics create ideal conditions for organ and chamber music. Within this modernist sanctuary, located in the heart of a seaside resort, tradition merges with modernity, and the sacred meets openness to diverse currents and artistic aesthetics.
As usual, the program includes contemporary Polish music, featuring works by the festival’s patron, Eugeniusz Brańka, as well as compositions by Marian Sawa, Mateusz Rzewuski, Feliks Rączkowski, and Michał Lorenc.
A special highlight on August 14 will be Maciej Zakrzewski’s live organ improvisations accompanying the 1923 silent film The Ten Commandments directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Festival website: https://www.facebook.com/koncerty.organowe
