A concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first sitting of the Sejm after Poland regained its independence will be held at the Grand Theater – National Opera on February 19, 2019. The event with the participation of the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland will be broadcast by the Polish Radio Programme 2 at 7.00 p.m.
The programme of the concert commemorating the centenary of the Legislative Sejm in the Grand Theatre – National Opera is a kind of symbolic journey through the history of Polish music. Completed in 1969, the Old Polish Music by Henryk Mikołaj Górecki includes symbolic quotations from two old Polish works: fanfare of brass instruments is based on the medieval Benedicamus Domino, and string parts derive from a Renaissance song by Wacław z Szamotuł Już się zmierzcha. Polonaise brillante in A major by Henryk Wieniawski symbolizes the times of the nineteenth-century virtuosity (adored by the then public), but it is also a reference to the great, Sarmatian tradition of dancing. Concert overture by Karol Szymanowski is a piece symbolizing the aspirations of Polish music almost on the eve of regaining independence.
There are also three works of foreign composers included in the programme. Interlude from the unfinished Oratorio Saint Stanislaus by Ferenc Liszt and a symphonic prelude Polonia by Edward Elgar directly refer to the Polish traditions and history. Warsaw Concerto by Richard Addinsell was written for the British film Dangerous Moonlight (1941), describing the tragedy of September 1939.
The works will be performed by the Orchestra of the Grand Theatre –Polish National Opera under the direction of José Maria Florêncio and soloists: Jakub Jakowicz (violin), Michał Szymanowski (piano).