THE INSIDES OF MUSIC vol. 1: LAKS, WAJNBERG, RATHAUS / MOLENDOWSKA, SAMOJŁO, KOZIAK, MANIA

Szymon Laks, Mieczysław Wajnberg, Karol Rathaus. Three composers, three different stories. Rathaus left for the United States, Wajnberg – to the Soviet Union and Laks, a Holocaust Survivor, settled in France. The Polish-Jewish heritage was their anchor in a complicated post-war world. Each of them has developed a unique and intriguing compositional style.

During the first concert of the “Wnętrza muzyki” (The Insides of Music) series, featuring composers Karol Rathaus, Mieczysław Wajnberg and Szymon Laks, the audience could listen to rarely performed works of these three artists. At the concert neoclassicism was intertwined with echoes of jazz, strong harmonies with expressive melodic lines, tragedy with nostalgia, mystery and even lightness of being. What do the compositions of the artists have in common? The answer is: emotional depth.

The series “Wnętrza muzyki” (The Insides of Music) are concerts organized by the Warsaw branch of the Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association and the Nizio Foundation and Gallery. The inaugural concert was held at the Nizio Gallery, ul. Inżynierska 3, on September 23, 2021. At 7:00 p.m., excellent and successful artists of the young generation appeared on the stage: soprano Magdalena Molendowska, pianist Julia Samojło, cellist Bartosz Koziak and pianist Grzegorz Mania.

The music of Laks, Wajnberg and Rathaus was intersected with the performers’ stories about the presented works and the circumstances in which they were created. The musicians talked about how the structure of the performed pieces and the hidden power of the title “Wnętrza muzyki” (The Insides of Music) influence the reception of the compositions and their interpretation. They demonstrated to the audience how the precise composition of a musical piece and its virtuoso performance builds tension and drama, creates room for emotion, a sense of freedom and silence…

The first concert in the “Wnętrza muzyki” (The Insides of Music) series was also a preview of the U.S. tour the musicians will embark on in October 2021. During the tour, the artists will visit New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The concert inaugurated the activity of the Warsaw branch of the Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association and its cooperation with the Nizio Foundation and Nizio Gallery.

THE INSIDES OF MUSIC : LAKS, WAJNBERG, RATHAUS
September 23 (Thursday), 19:00

ARTISTS:
Magdalena Molendowska (sopran)
Julia Samojło (piano)
Bartosz Koziak (cello)
Grzegorz Mania (piano)

PROGRAM:
Mieczysław Wajnberg, songs from „Biblia Cygańska”, op. 57, lyrics: Julian Tuwim (1956)
Karol Rathaus, „Rapsodia notturna”, op. 66, cello and piano (1950)
Szymon Laks, songs from „8 ludowych pieśni żydowskich” (1947)
Szymon Laks „Sonata na wiolonczelę i fortepian” (1932)

PARTNERS:
Fundacja Nizio
Galeria Nizio
Stowarzyszenie Polskich Muzyków Kameralistów – Oddział w Warszawie
Fundacja Nizio
Fortepiano Center
Feurich
Klonn
Melody – Francuskie Makaroniki
Dwór Sanna