The gala for the presentation of the most prestigious Polish music award, the "Fryderyk" 2025, in the classical music categories, will take place again at the NOSPR (National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra) on March 30, 2025. This impressive building with its outstanding architecture and acoustics will host performances by, among others, Gabriela Legun, Dariusz Przybylski, Katarzyna Budnik, Mateusz Smoczyński, and NOSPR under the direction of Michał Nesterowicz.
This year’s program reflects the richness of styles and genres within classical music. The neoclassical Overture by Grażyna Bacewicz for symphony orchestra will open the gala. It will be paired with the Symphony Concertante in E-flat major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for violin, viola, and orchestra – with violinist Maria Nowak and violist Katarzyna Budnik as soloists. Soprano Gabriela Legun, the winner of a special award for the most promising Polish voice at the Moniuszko Competition in Warsaw and this year’s recipient of the "Polityka" Passport, will present arias from the operas Paria by Stanisław Moniuszko and Roméo et Juliette by Charles Gounod. The romantic and virtuosic Carmen Fantasy by Pablo de Sarasate will be performed by 22-year-old Antoni Wrona, winner of third prize at the 12th International Witold Lutosławski Cello Competition.
As announced by the artistic director of the gala, Anna S. Dębowska, "There will be space for contemporary compositions inspired by minimal music and jazz, fitting into the realm of solo and concerto music." These works will be presented in the second part of the concert. In tribute to Irena Regina Wieniawska, the Poldowski String Quartet, along with mezzo-soprano Agata Schmidt, will perform selected songs by the composer, arranged by Wojciech Chałupka (for string quartet and voice). Michał Pepol and Dariusz Przybylski will also perform as soloists and composers during the gala. Pepol will present his composition The Soul is Free for solo cello to the audience in Katowice, while Przybylski will perform Stone Toccata for organ. The gala will conclude with the third part of the violin concerto Adam’s Apple by Mateusz Smoczyński, performed by the composer himself and NOSPR.
Music lovers will be able to watch the event live on the Onet.pl homepage, Polish Radio’s Second Program website, and the Fryderyk Festival YouTube channel, as well as a replay on TVP Kultura.
Organisers of the event: Association of Audio-Visual Producers, Phonographic Academy.
Detailed programme available on the website: https://fryderyki.prowly.com/381404-gala-muzyki-klasycznej-fryderyk-festiwal-ponownie-w-nospr-znamy-program-koncertu-finalowego
