Event

CELEBRATION of MAZURKAS

Fine regional pianists: Ruta Kuzmickas, Art Maddox, Kaori Katayama-Noland, Lisa Ann Marsh, Sung Eun Roh;
perform mazurkas of three immortal Polish composers: Fryderyk Chopin, Karol Szymanowski, Roman Maciejewski.

Following the successful launch (with superb soprano Maria Knapik) Portland's newest classical music series, Polish Music at Polish Hall, continues with CELEBRATION of MAZURKAS - Series Director Laska's brainchild.

Poland's most distinctive music is as sweet as its finest dessert; Mazur and Mazurek, respectively (Mazurka in English); baked only at Easter time. The weekend following Easter this year, we'll be enjoying both at Polish Hall admission: $10, all inclusive (entertainment and desserts).
Mazurek cakes, baked in local Polish kitchens, will be served with coffee and tea. Selected fine Polish liqueurs will be available (in moderation, of course) at Grandpas' cafe, in the lower level of Polish Hall.

The musical mazurka (in Polish, mazurek ) traditionally accompanies a Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, accented on the second or third beat, though there are slower, more lyrical ones as well. We will provide some education about this, not too much of course (after all it's a festive soiree, not a lecture) and Agnieszka Laska Dancers will demonstrate the traditional dance.

Those joining the celebration will be treated to mazurkas by 3 immortal Polish composers: Fryderyk Chopin, (best known), Karol Szymanowski (less well known) and Roman Maciejewski, (least known). His mazurkas, from a 2-volume collection of 39, are very likely Portland concert premieres. Maciejewski was born exactly 100 years after Chopin, was highly acclaimed by Szymanowski, a student of Kaimierz Sikorski and Nadia Boulanger; he is best known from his monumental Requiem for victims of war.