Wojciech Kilar's 'Krzesany' (1974) is a symphonic poem for orchestra. Its title refers to Polish highlanders' dance, based on a figure called 'krzesanie', in which the dancers click their heels in a characteristic manner. Kilar listed it as one of his favorite pieces, iconic for his work.
Concerto for Orchestra (1954) by Witold Lutosławski was inspired by Béla Bartók's music, especially his Concerto for Orchestra. Lutosławski used the musical material of Polish folk music, however folk melodies in his work underwent far-reaching modifications and transformations. He reached for folk songs published in five-volume compilation of folk traditions titled 'Mazowsze' ('Mazovia') by Oskar Kolberg.
Krzysztof Urbański , born in 1982, can be described as one of the most promising Polish conductors, who, while working with orchestras around the world, has already achieved his first major successes.
In terms of a brilliant career development he can be compared to his contemporary, Gustavo Dudamel, who in the meantime has been recognized by the Philharmonics as a true successor to Simon Rattle - wrote the critic of ''Berliner Morgenpost''. - In contrast to Dudamel, Urbański received a very solid, classic musical education. He understands the works that he conducts. Urbański resembles Rattle in his pedantic attention to detail. In statistical terms, my conversations during the intermission were as follows: ladies believed that the young, attractive and affected conductor was lovely, while gentlemen were irritated by him, so I think Urbański can be foretold a great career.
Urbański is music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, main conductor and artistic leader of the Trondheim Symfoniorkester, as well as the principal guest conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. During the 2015 / 2016 season he will be the principal guest conductor of NDR Sinfoniorchester – the symphonic orchestra of North German Radio.