Polish Times - Czas Polski - tygodnik polski w Detroit, USA

A charming concert of Polish classical music took place Friday, November 6, at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Twp.  A program, hosted by the Music Director of the Macomb Symphony Orchestra, included a performance by the “Batlic Strings” and pianist Kazimierz Brzozowski.

The “Baltic Strings” consists of four talented musicians, Adam Stepniewski (violin), Zbigniew Rybinski (violon), Grzegorz Wiczuk (viola) and Grzegorz Boguski (cello).

Adam Stepniewski is a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Principal of the Second Violin section).  He is a graduate of prestigious F. Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw.  Zbigniew Rybinski earned a Master Degree from the College of Music in Łódź, Poland.  He moved to Michigan in 2005, where he performs with symphony orchestras in Macomb, Jackson and Flat Rock.  Grzegorz Wiczuk earned a Master Degree from the F. Chopin Conservatory of Music in Poland.  Since 2002 Grzegorz is a principal violist of the Macomb Symphony Orchestra.  He cooperates with local orchestras and chamber music ensembles as well.  Grzegorz Boguski is a graduate of the State School of Music in Poland, he he studied the cello and received a performance degree.  He also studied music-arranging, piano and saxophone.  Last season Grzegorz performed with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra as the assistant principal cellist.  He also plays regularly with the Macomb Symphony Orchestra and with the strings quartet in chamber music events.

These four very talented musicians presented a wonderful program with music of Chopin as an opening and closing acts.  “Fantasy of Polish Airs. Op. 13” (Transcription for Piano and String Quartet) opened the program.  It was accompanied by a mesmerizing slide-show presentation of photos of the most beautiful places in Poland - Zakopane, Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Elbląg, Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, any many, many others.  It was an excellent idea which made the musical piece that much more powerful. 
Another Chopin’s piece presented during the evening was “Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor. Op. 21”.  This masterpiece showcased a real talent of the “Baltic Strings” and a guest pianist Kazimierz Brzozowski.  The second part of the piece - Larghetto - especially made its mark.  Delicate, airy, yet dramatic music was played with a special attention to detail, emotion and synchronicity.  Bravo!

Music of less-known Polish composer Władysław Żeleński was also performed.  “Piano Quartet” by Żeleński, presented during the program, was composed in 1907.  Big, restless opening movement, romantic second one, almost danceable third one and powerful and thrusting, yet full of yearning finale showcases Żeleński’s broad talent as a composer.

A very entertaining “Variations” by a contemporary composer Janusz Jędrzejewski completed the evening.  Jędrzejewski was a composer, pianist and an accomplished music teacher.  He passed away a few months ago.  He was a teacher of one of the “Baltic Strings” members and it was a great way to pay a tribute to him.  “Variations” were full of surprises, as it included strings arrangements of popular hits and jazz standards.

Congratulations to “Baltic Strings” for this charming evening of Polish classical music!  We should all make a note of your fine talents, as you truly are something to proud of!

Pianist Kazimierz Brzozowski, who recently was a guest of “Chopiniana”, will grace us again with his exceptional talent at the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra’s “From Poland with Love” concert this Friday.  Don’t Miss It!!!  (seb)