Hidden pearls of Polish music

Chamber music is enjoying a large degree of popularity currently, as evidenced by the number of chamber music festivals, concerts and recitals to be found. The Fourth Festival of Polish Chamber Music may qualify as part of this trend, but is distinctive for a number of reasons.

What distinguishes it the most is its selection of works. Here you will not hear the standard fare of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik or Strauss' well-known waltzes. This festival is designed for the "premieres" of Polish chamber music. Most of the presented work has not been played since the time of its creation - that is from between the 1830s to the 1930s. Now, music lovers have an opportunity to hear the unfortunately forgotten mini-masterpieces composed by Stolpe, Dobrzyński and others, along with works written by Chopin, Wieniawski and by modern composers such as Paweł Łukaszewski and Jerzy Maksymiuk. 

Every year Camerata Vistula, the organizer of the festival, encourages prominent musicians to cooperate and guarantee high-quality concerts. Previous events were so successful, experts say they influenced a re-evaluation of previous conclusions about 19th-century Polish music.

At the beginning of the last century, the hall of the agricultural reading-room, where concerts take place, was the only public place in Warsaw where one was allowed to speak Polish. Now, in December 2006, it will be the only place in Warsaw where one can listen to so many gems of Polish chamber music.

Concerts are held on various days through December 19 at ul. Krakowskie Przedmieœcie 66, at 7pm. Entrance is free.