Reviews
Dr. Sobula’s masterclass was met with great enthusiasm on the part of students and audience alike – the teaching was refined and charismatic, and dealt on equal part with issues of piano technique andissues of artistry and style. After the masterclass the students and staff enjoyed a masterful recital by Sobula, which was hosted and narrated by Wocław. The recital, from the works of Chopin and Paderewski, was a display of pianism at its very best. I recommend giving every support possible to the Polish Music Days project.
Ron Regev, Jerusalem Academy of Dance and Music
A unique concert took place in Almaty, during which Polish artists not only impressed the audience with their high culture, but they were also telling about their home country through musical means. A wave of emotions overwhelmed the listeners as soon as they had heard the first notes. Patrycja and Anna attempted to reach their principal aim – to make classical music widely accessible to the general public. It seemed as if the musicians and the audience were feasting together and conversing in the language of music.
Albert Achmetow, Almaty
A marvellous concert! I am delighted that the Polish music of the 20th c., which is little known here in Kazakhstan, has been presented to us. The duo (Patrycja Piekutowska, Anna Miernik) is tightly-knit and harmonious, a real team. It is clearly seen the artists are not only soloists, but also outstanding chamber musicians at a genuinely European level. The pianist displayed perfect technique that was essential for performing the 20th c. music. For some reasons this music requires the performing artist to demonstrate higher intelligence, rationality and technical preparation. I am grateful for such repertoire. The time has come, in the second decade of the 21st c. to get to know Polish classical music of the second half of the 20th c.
Jhanar Suleimanova, Almaty
(…) Polish Music Days project aims at popularizing Polish culture abroad, both among the Polish diaspora, and other nations. The Project will present the best Polish artists who – through their out standing artistic performance – contribute to increasing attractiveness of our country. I consider Polish Music Days project to be an extremely valuable initiative, and therefore, it is worth supporting by Polish institutions. As a result, Polish musical culture will become better known in Canada too.
Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Canada
(…) The Project embraces a series of concerts by distinguished Polish artists, with the programs comprised solely by works of Polish composers. I am sure that the concerts will be valuable and fascinating events which will enrich the local cultural offer both by the quality of the performances and by the originality of the presented music. (…)
Daniel Gromann, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney
To my regret, I have not been back to Poland, but Polish music came to Ottawa on July 8, and again on July 15 as part of Music & Beyond, an annual musical treat for Ottawa music-lovers. The two concerts were presented in partnership with the Embassy of Poland in Ottawa. Chopin (1810-1845) was on the July 8 program but not on the July 15 one, which celebrated the works of less traditional composers, some of which are not familiar to many Canadians. These included violin pieces by Penderecki and Bacewicz, as well as Borkowski’s unique “Images”, played superbly by the stunningly beautiful and gifted Patricia Piekutowska at Tabaret Hall, Ottawa University. Works by Paderewski (1864-1941) and Lutoslawski (1913-1994) were played after the intermission, and the talents of Anna Miernik were evident in the piano and violin pieces. The superb concert on July 8 featured world-famous pianist Marian Sobula who has been awarded Poland’s highest honour, the Order of the White Eagle. I can say that it was a great pleasure to hear Polish music again, even though some of the more discordant and non-melodic violin pieces were a little “beyond” what I call music.
Susan Hallett, The Epoch Times
On Friday July 12, and Saturday July 13, 2013 Polonia was treated to two exceptional evenings of piano and then violin with piano concerts which presented the works of Polish composers from Chopin to Lutosławski. This skill reflects his maturity as a pianist. There is a fine line between giving a “perfect rote or mechanical presentation of a piece” versus “bringing the piece to life”. As a mature pianist Mr. Sobula brought over just the right amount of personality into the entire performance as he brought the works to life. Patrycja Piekutowska’s performance at Orchard Lake exuded power and energy and technical virtuosity! What I was particularly impressed with was her thorough introduction to some of the modern violin solos. She truly wanted to bring the audience into experiencing modern violin compositions and she did this very effectively! The two concerts of “Polish Music Days” was an exceptional experience in terms of the artists, the pieces selected, the venue (Shrine Chapel) and the way it was all brought together by the Master of Ceremonies so that the audience became fully engaged in the performances.
Frank Dmuchowski, The Polish Weekly
A packed audience, with Members of the Polish community coming from as far as Bega and Cooma for the event, marked the end of the Australian cultural exchange titled “Polish Music Days”. Organised at the local level by The Friends of Chopin Australia, the evening of intense precise piano playing from the Juilliard graduate began tamely enough with Chopin’s Barcarolle Op. 60, Nocturne in B flat minor Op. 9 no. 1 and Polonaise-Fantasy Op. 61, but after an interlude in which the touring spoken-word artist, Wojciech S Wocław, outlined the influences of patriotism, war and romance on Chopin’s music, the evening really took off.
Helen Muza, City News (Canberra)