Wojciech Kilar, photo by Wojciech Druszcz /Reporter/East News
On the anniversary of the WTC attacks, a piece specially prepared by Wojciech Kilar is performed at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw
On the 11th of September 2001, the whole world watched in disbelief at the events taking place in New York and the wave of attacks inflicted on the World Trade Centre building. The biggest terrorist attack in modern history caused massive material losses and the death of 2993 people, among those killed were 6 Polish citizens. This September marks the 10th year anniversary of those tragic events.
The commemorative anniversary concert at the Warsaw Philharmonic presents the work of one of the most know contemporary polish composers - Wojciech Kilar and his "September Symphony". Moved by the events in New York, the composer began work on the piece in 2001.
The "September Symphony" (or the "Symphony Nr 3") is a musical epitaph for the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic terrorist attack on 11 September 2001 in New York. It wasn't until 2003, that Wojciech Kilar completed the piece, and that year the symphony, under the direction of Antoni Wit, had its premiere at Warsaw Philharmonic.
The symphony, as it is traditionally, is constructed in four parts. Not unlike the composer's other works, this piece is also clear, simple, concise, and perfectly arranged in time. The first part, Largo, is the longest part of the piece and is arranged in slow tempo and contains a serious tone, which captures the listener's attention and introduces one to the sprit of the work. The second part, Allegro, is fast and dynamic, and signals danger and chaos. Then comes the next part, Largo, which maintains a sorrowful atmosphere, and its song-like melodies refer to the American variety of neoclassical music of Samuel Barber and Lukas Foss. In Moderato, the final part, the lyrically lead strings evoke an impression of a lament for the fallen, whilst at the same time there is also a sense of hope. In addition, the entire symphony is bound together by a motif from "America, the Beautiful".
The Warsaw concert is joined by the famous Samuel Barber piece "Adagio for strings" which opens the event. Barber's famous composition was created in 1936, and ever since it's genesis, it is recognised by many around the world. The piece is based on a musical theme from the second part of the "String Quartet d-moll op. 11". Barber's compositional treatment of the piece was encouraged by the well known Italian conductor Arthuro Toscanini, who conducted the first performance of the "Adagio" in 1938 with the NBC Radio Orchestra and subsequent performances of the work in numerous concert halls of the world. The "Adagio" gained popularity due to its simple musical language which refers in one way to neo-romanticism and its particular melodies, and on the other to neo-boroque sense of linearism. The lyrical melody of the "Adagio" is led by a long, tranquil line, supported in the background by evolving company of voices in contrasting intensity of sounds.
Due to the pompous and mournful character of the work, the piece quickly became the flagship composition and was often adopted during government commemorative occasions in the USA. In 1967, Barber arranged the "Adagio" for a small choir under a new title of "Agnus Dei".
The commemorative concert for the 10th anniversary of the September 2001 attacks is held at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw on the 11th September 2011 at 19:00. Mr Lee Feinstein, the USA Ambasador in Poland, is the Honorary Patron of the event.
For more information see: www.september2011.pl
Source: press release