Music must enter the society is the main slogan of all events during the first ever Michał Spisak International Festival in Dąbrowa Górnicza, which lasts until October!
A FORGOTTEN COMPOSER
Michał Spisak was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding Polish composers of the 20th century. Although he was born in Dąbrowa Górnicza, his later life was connected with France, and particularly with Paris. It was there that he continued his musical education and composed most of his several dozen symphonic, chamber and solo works, which were recognised all over the world. He achieved major international success, winning prizes in the most prestigious competitions. He died in 1965 suffering from a disease. Although his biography is similar to that of Frédéric Chopin, unlike the pianist, Michał Spisak and his works were unfortunately forgotten. The Michał Spisak International Festival is just about to change it! Its aim is to bring back to the society our famous fellow countryman, and present his works on stage across Poland.
MUSIC FOR EVERYONE
Michał Spisak was an advocate for promoting classical music among people regardless of for their origin, age or economic position. It was precisely his words – music must enter the society – that inspired the organisers: Zagłębie Palace of Culture, Municipality of Dąbrowa Górnicza and Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice to create the Festival. Michał Spisak International Music Competition, which has been held since 2007, is part of the Festival. Over 120 young instrumentalists from all over the world (e.g. Costa Rica, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, USA, Columbia and many European countries, including Poland) will perform on the stage of Zagłębie Palace of Culture. They will compete for the statuette of Michał Spisak and winner’s title in the following instruments: oboe, clarinet and bassoon. However, before the great music competition starts, the inhabitants of Silesia Province will have the opportunity to take part in outdoor chamber concerts on 7-28 August (always on Saturday at 5 p.m.) in Krąg Taneczny Parku Zielona (Dancing Circle in Zielona Park) in Dąbrowa Górnicza as part of “Play in Green” series of promenade concerts. Young and talented instrumentalists will bring classical music closer to the audience in Dąbrowa Górnicza in a light and pleasant manner.
FEAST OF MUSIC AND MICHAŁ SPISAK
The most important festival events begin on 14 September 2021 – the anniversary of Michał Spisak’s birthday. This is when the mural with the composer’s image will be officially unveiled at ul. 3 Maja 22. Michał Spisak will be able to look at the inhabitants of his city again, taking musical care of them, and the inhabitants will have motivation to extend their knowledge about the artist from Dąbrowa Górnicza. On the same day, the exhibition showing the laureates of Michał Spisak Competition in 2006–2018 entitled „The Taste of Victory” will be opened in the Zagłębie Palace of Culture. It will be followed by the official inauguration of the 13th Michał Spisak International Music Competition with the opening concert performed by Jerzy Semkow Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra under Marek Wroniszewski, featuring a famous Portuguese clarinettist Vitor Fernandes and horn player Paweł Cal, a laureate of the Michał Spisak Competition. On the following day, 15 September 2021, the master concert of the Danish ensemble Carion Quintet will be held in the Theatre Hall of Zagłębie Palace of Culture, and the first stage of auditions in the competition will begin. The Michał Spisak Competition will end on 23 September with the Concert of Laureates accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of Zabrze Philharmonic under Sławomir Chrzanowski. The accompanying events of the festival include mini-concerts played by the competition participants, exhibition of posters related to the 14th edition of the event and „Theatre Concertino” theatrical performance.
The Festival is co-financed with the funds of the Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport from the Culture Promotion Fund. The honorary patrons of the Festival include: President of Dąbrowa Górnicza, Marcin Bazylak, and Rector of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Prof. Władysław Szymański.
Festival schedule:
7 August, 5 p.m. (Park Zielona) – concert by Akademicki Kwartet Saksofonowy (Academic Saxophone Quartet)
14 August, 5 p.m. (Park Zielona) – concert by Aleksandra Marchewka & String Quartet of the Academy of Music in Katowice
21 August, 5 p.m. (Park Zielona) – Cracow Golden Quintet
28 August, 5 p.m. (Park Zielona) – Wind Quintet of the Academy of Music in Katowice
14 September, 4 p.m. (ul. 3 Maja 22, Dąbrowa Górnicza) – official unveiling of the Michał Spisak’s mural
14 September, 5 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – opening of the exhibition „Taste of Victory”
14 September, 5 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture Art Gallery) – opening of the poster exhibition for the 14th Michał Spisak International Music Competition
14 September, 6 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – Opening Concert by the Jerzy Semkow Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra
15 September, 7 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – Master Concert by Carion Quintet
15–16 September (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – First stage of the competition auditions
17–19 September (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – Second stage of the competition auditions
20-22 September, 5 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – Final concerts accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of Zabrze Philharmonic
23 September, 5 p.m. (Zagłębie Palace of Culture) – official Prize Award Ceremony and Concert of Laureates accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of Zabrze Philharmonic