Camerata Silesia / Songs above songs and choirs above choirs. - NOSPR

The November concert of Camerata Silesia offers a brief overview of the most outstanding choral compositions by Polish composers belonging to the so-called Generation of the '33: Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Witold Lutosławski. 

The program opens with Wojciech Kilar's Modlitwa do Małej Terseki – a piece composed on the occasion of the Jubilee of the University of Silesia. Alongside Agnus Dei, it exemplifies the embedding of vocal compositions in medieval piety: meditation, contemplation, and prayerful focus. 

Similarly, Krzysztof Penderecki delves into key Christian symbols – the Trinity, the cross, the juxtaposition of earth and heaven, the narrative of God and man called to imitate Him. About the Agnus Dei from Missa Brevis, the master himself said it might be the most beautiful composition he has ever written. Certainly, it's one of the most moving. 

When composing the Miserere from St. Luke Passion, Penderecki was just over thirty years old. As the first composer from this part of the world, governed by communists, he didn't hesitate to tackle sacred themes. He was also the first 20th-century composer to engage with the historical genre exemplified by the Passion According to St. Matthew. He filled the Bach-inspired form of the Passion oratorio with music where the melodic structure of Gregorian chant, Netherlandish polyphony, and the texture of Venetian chori spezzati met dodecaphonic technique, aleatory effects, and sonoristic thinking. 

In contrast, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki's song "Hey, From Above, From Above! Kóniku Bury," Op. 75, stands out in this selection! Lively, adhering to the original Kurpie music rhythm, with a defiant character, and a nearly erotic tone: the feminine lyrical subject distinctly prefers "the bed." 

Financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Promotion of Culture Fund – a targeted state fund, as part of the "Composer Commissions" program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance.

This concert can be part of "My Subscription." Check the details and create "My Subscription" freely by choosing from various concerts in the chamber and concert halls – more information. 

Check the upcoming concerts in this series.

Approximate time of concert: 50 min