It was 35 years ago that one of the most famous violinists of the 20th century – Yehudi Menuhin – visited Poland for the first time. His visit inspired the formation of the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra, currently considered to be one of the best orchestras in Poland. To celebrate its anniversary, please join Sinfonia Varsovia in Teatr Wielki – the National Opera in a festive birthday concert on 23 March 2019.
The repertoire of the concert on the occasion of the ensemble’s 35th anniversary of its formation relates to the most important persons and events in Sinfonia Varsovia’s history. The concert opens with Sinfonietta per archi, composed by Krzysztof Penderecki, Sinfonia Varsovia’s artistic director. The work bears a special dedication to the Orchestra. Its inclusion in the evening’s programme is a reference to the Polish Chamber Orchestra, which was the cornerstone to Sinfonia Varsovia’s formation. Next in the programme is the overture to Gioacchino Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri – a work the ensemble performed many times under Menuhin’s direction. Directing this work will be French harpsichordist and conductor Hervé Niquet, who will also conduct the work to follow – Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. French music and cooperation with French artists occupies a significant position in the Orchestra’s repertoire. Sinfonia Varsovia has been a continuous presence at major music festivals in France, including La Folle Journée and the La Roque d'Anthéron Piano Festival for more than 20 years.
After the intermission, young American conductor Roderick Cox will take up the podium. Cox is last year’s laureate of the prestigious Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, awarded by the American Solti Foundation. Cox will conduct classic works of American music – 2nd Essay for Orchestra Op. 17 by Samuel Barber and Symphonic Dances from Leonard Bernstein’s musical West Side Story. Then, we will hear Serge Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 Op. 25 in D major “Classical”. One of Sinfonia Varsovia’s favourite works, it will be conducted by the much respected Marzena Diakun, laureate of, among others, the Polityka weekly’s Passport award. She will also direct the last work in the programme of the concert – Wojciech Kilar’s Krzesany.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.
More information at: www.sinfoniavarsovia.org