Concert dedicated to the work of Wojciech Kilar

New date: 5th April 2024

Wojciech Kilar
Concert dedicated to the work of Wojciech Kilar, performed by the Polish Radio Orchestra, conducted by Maciej Sztor

For the first time in Katowice’s Spodek Arena, the Polish Radio Orchestra and the Warsaw University Academic Choir conducted by Maciej Sztor will perform a concert of film music dedicated to the work of the outstanding Polish composer Wojciech Kilar. The solo parts will be sung by Anna Lasota and Jarosław Bręk. Magda Miśka-Jackowska will provide the commentary. The concert, featuring the best known themes from film music composed by Wojciech Kilar, will be accompanied by a screening of fragments of films and the most famous film frames. 

The concert will also include orchestral suites based on music from such films as “Pan Tadeusz”, “The Promised Land”, “The Adventures of Sir Michael”, “The Leper”, “Zemsta” (Revenge) and “A Chronicle of Amorous Accidents”. In addition to the classics of Polish cinematography, music composed by Kilar for European and Hollywood studios will be performed, including themes from such films as “The Pianist,” “Dracula,” “The Ninth Gate,” “King of the Last Days” and “Portrait of a Lady.” The concert will also feature first public performances of music from “Faustyna”, “Sami Swoi” (All Friends Here) and the cult classic, “Rejs” (The Cruise).

As a composer of film music, Wojciech Kilar has a permanent place in the history of cinematography, not just in Poland, but worldwide. He composed the soundtracks for over a hundred full-length movies, working with the most celebrated directors: Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Roman Polański, Krzysztof Zanussi, Jane Campion and Francis Ford Coppola. He received the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music (2003), the Polish Film Academy's “Eagle” Award in the Best Music category and the “Caesar” Award in the Best Film Music category for his music for “The Pianist” (2003). 

Kilar's greatest Polish hits include several dances: the unforgettable Viennese waltzes from Jerzy Hoffman's “The Leper” and Andrzej Wajda's “The Promised Land,” and the mazurka from “Zemsta” (The Revenge). No less popular are the tango from Janusz Majewski's ”Jealousy and Medicine” and the solemn polonaise from “Pan Tadeusz” directed by Andrzej Wajda. 

“His compositions demonstrate his incredible versatility, talent and understanding of the role of music in film. Kilar was able to paint any musical situation, representing the full gamut of emotions in the most subtle ways. His mysticism and approach to music are very close to me,” says Maciej Sztor, who will conduct the concert.