Since its creation in 1961 by the composer Tadeusz Szeligowski, the event has gained international scope, over the years bringing scores of outstanding concerts, hundreds of new works, and an array of distinguished guests to the city of Poznań. In 2012, the Poznań Music Spring came out in a new format while last year, it celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its establishment.

This year's event will feature twelve premieres of works by Polish and foreign composers and a review of the contemporary music works that have already become classics. Both acoustic and electroacoustic concerts are in the pipeline. During the four festival days, performers previously associated with the Poznań Music Spring and those specially invited to take part in this edition will make their appearances.

The former include the Sepia Ensemble, who have been the festival's fixture since 2013. The ensemble consists of eleven soloist musicians specialising in contemporary music. The artists do not shy away from electronic sound and have been continuously expanding their repertoire by adding the latest compositions from around the world. They have performed throughout Europe, in Tehran and Beijing, and at a number of new music festivals. The group's many projects include a series of concerts of contemporary music from specific countries known as Zooming, and performances on the 200^th anniversary of the Vienna University of Music and at the LOOP 11 festival in Brussels.

the Union of Polish Composers, which is the festival's organiser, also offers smaller formats which include solo and duo concerts. One of them is a recital by Maria Koszewska-Wajdzik marking the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Andrzej Koszewski.

Born in Poznań on 22 July 1922, Professor Koszewski went on to study composition and music theory. He continued his education in Warsaw under the tutelage of Tadeusz Szeligowski. Between 1957 and 1995, he was lecturer at the Poznań Academy of Music. He was a recognised specialist in musical ethnology and the work of Frédéric Chopin. The majority of his compositions were outstanding choral works that were either folklore-inspired or rendered in his own unique style.

Other appearances include a solo harp recital (by Paulina Maciaszczyk) and a viola recital (by Aleksandra Demowska-Madejska). The baritone Damian Wilma will be joined on stage by the pianist Alicja Tarczykowska and the Apeiron Trio. The festival will culminate with a concert by Kaoko Amano (soprano) and Tomasz Skweres (cello) co-organised by the Austrian Cultural Forum.

The festival's 51^st edition promises to be exciting. By mixing widely-recognised compositions with world premieres, the festival will enable music lovers to experience a wide range of compositional techniques and styles that characterise today's music. They will also be given an opportunity to partake in what is very rare for classical music: the first ever performances of new works. The performer line-up, the renowned standard of the Poznań Music Spring and the music that is bound to move you will likely attract both connoisseurs of the genre and new listeners.

Paweł Binek

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

51^st Contemporary Music Festival "Poznań Music Spring", 26-29 May

for more: 51^st Contemporary Music Festival "Poznań Music Spring" (available in Polish only)

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