Transition and blooming go hand in hand here, and that's no coincidence. Spring itself evokes growth and development, and contemporary music finds the perfect space for this within festivals. The 54th edition of Poznań Musical Spring has not only brought fresh energy into the picture but also a new visual identity, intertwining music with nature. The new festival design features purple moor-grass, iris, and marsh thistle-three plant species native to the Wielkopolska National Park. This local, environmentally aware theme isn't just a graphic refresh-it's a statement asserting that contemporary music is here, now, and ready to engage with the issues that matter. This year, the focus is on the present, community, and openness.
The community spirit and inclusivity of this year's Spring Festival are reflected in its lineup of performers and composers. Audiences will experience works and performances by artists from various nations and generations, bringing together the global and the local. The Polish Dance Theatre is preparing a brand-new interdisciplinary dance production, the result of a collaboration between composer Katarzyna Taborowska and choreographer Rainer Behr (28-29 April). Meanwhile, the Antrakt Orchestra of the Polski Theatre, under the baton of its resident conductor Adam Domurat, will present a concert featuring world premieres of pieces by Polish and Korean composers (28 April). The Poznań Philharmonic will host an evening of music by John Adams, Youshin Gim (including the world premiere of Tout est devenu flou, commissioned by Poznań Musical Spring), and Claude Debussy. Pianist Jacek Kortus will perform the world premiere of Artur Kroschel's Piano and Orchestra Concerto, marking his second premiere in a single concert, a rare event in traditional philharmonic settings. Leading this extraordinary performance will be Yaroslav Shemet, one of the most electrifying young conductors of his generation. To close the festival on 30 April, the Wielki Theatre will open its state-of-the-art sound system for a spectacular sonic experience. The Trans-for-Matha Ensemble, conducted by Agata Zając, will take full advantage of this technology to showcase the works of Lidia Zielińska, Krzysztof Gawlas, and Michał Janocha.
Music Spring will flourish not only in concert halls and institutions but also in the urban landscape, bringing contemporary music closer to the city's rhythm. The festival will open on 25 April with a performance by Sepia Ensemble in the historic Old Market Square. Between 25 and 27 April, an intriguing sound installation titled Tramwaj will be set up in different parts of the city, promising a unique auditory experience. In addition, the programme features chamber concerts, discussions, and workshops. Among the chamber performances, a highlight will be a concert by Polish Violin Duo, who will present works by Ewa Fabiańska-Jelińska and Ałła Zagaykevych, as well as a brand-new piece composed specially for this occasion by the rising Italian composer Francesco Fiorenzani. The younger generation will also be in the spotlight, represented by the Young Association of the Polish Composers' Union and the Artistic and Scientific Association of Composition and Music Theory Students from the Poznań Academy of Music. Meanwhile, the festival has something special for its youngest audience members - morning music workshops called Electro-Poznań at the Academy of Music.
This year, Poznań Music Spring will additionally feature initiatives aimed at artists. Conductors and composers alike will get to participate in masterclasses led by Yaroslav Shemet, Artur Kroschel, and Michał Janocha. Another exciting addition to the festival is the launch of the Andrzej Dobrowolski International Composition Competition. In its first edition, the competition will focus on pieces for oboe and electronics, with the final concert showcasing the selected works on 29 April.
The 54th edition of Poznań Music Spring aims to create an inclusive space for both artists and audiences, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community. With a diverse programme featuring everything from world premieres to works already established in contemporary repertoires, the festival encourages audiences to embrace new music with an open mind. And if you are not a fan of concert evengts, let the festival find you in town. After all, as the organisers have put it, "Contemporary music is here and now. Experience it."
author: Paweł Binek
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
Poznań Musical Spring
25-30 April
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2025