During the inaugural concert, Maciej Jonczyk (piano) will perform Ondine by Maurice Ravel, the first movement of the celebrated cycle Gaspard de la nuit, considered one of the greatest challenges in the piano repertoire. The work was inspired by a poem by Aloysius Bertrand. Its protagonist, a water nymph, appears at a man’s window at night and attempts to persuade him to become her lover and live with her in an underwater kingdom. When he rejects her, she first weeps and then disappears like droplets of water trickling down the windowpane.
The programme will also feature Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 by Fryderyk Chopin, one of the composer’s most monumental and dramatic works for piano. The piece was composed in 1841, when the 31-year-old Chopin had already reached full artistic maturity.
The second part of the concert will feature Aniela Janiak (violin) and Zuzanna Pietrzak (piano). The artists will perform Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano by César Franck, composed in 1886 and now regarded as one of the most important chamber works of the Romantic era.
The duo will also present "Cyganka” [The Gypsy] by Maurice Ravel, one of the most spectacular and virtuosic violin works of the twentieth century. Composed in 1924, the piece draws on stylised music inspired by Hungarian and Romani traditions. It begins mysteriously, almost improvisationally, gradually gathers momentum and culminates in an exceptionally vibrant and technically demanding finale.
The next concert in the series will take place on 28 August at 5:00 p.m. Maria Yakymenko (piano) will perform at the Biedermann’s Palace.
Participation in the concerts is free of charge. However, advance booking is required:
