Written in 1983, Lutosławski's Symphony no. 3 was composed specifically for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted at the time by Georg Solti. Two years later, the composition brought Lutosławski the Grawemeyer Award – a prize funded by a retired engineer and businessman. The prize, which was granted for the first time in 1985, can be compared in its prestige and value to a Nobel or a Pulitzer.
Today, the composition is considered a true masterpiece of classical music. It is quite telling then that the concerts in Chicago will also feature Ludwig van Beethoven's King Stephen.
The series comprises of four concerts: on 25th, 26th and 27th February, and on 1st March 2016. It is one of the several events organised by Polska Music USA in the first quarter of 2016. They match the strategy of the Polska Music programme, which actively supports performances of Polish classical music by renowned international artists worldwide, aiming to increase its popularity across the globe.
One of the programme's significant projects was a concert at the Los Angeles Philharmonic entirely devoted to Polish contemporary classical music, which was organised within the prestigious Green Umbrella series. Its programme included compositions by Paweł Mykietyn, Paweł Szymański, Krzysztof Meyer, Krzysztof Penderecki and Agata Zubel.
On 7th March 2016, Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform Agata Zubel's Labyrinth, as part of the MusicNOW: (sub)text series dedicated to contemporary classical music.
Source: own materials, Press materials, compiled by PW, translated by OK, 23 Feb 2016