During the concert, we will discover that composers are no worse at telling stories than the best writers. The first to be presented will be Igor Stravinsky. He embodied in music a fable about a soldier who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for a book of prophecies. Next up will be the Argentine Alberto Ginastera, who tells the story of his homeland, and Leoš Janáček, who delves into the depths of the human soul. At the end of the evening, our attention will focus on objects that hold sounds. This will be an opportunity to find out about the incredible history of excellent instruments, admire masterpieces of violin making, and – most importantly – listen to their sound.

Stravinsky’s L’histoire du soldat was created in Switzerland, where the artist spent World War I. Finding himself in a difficult financial situation, he decided to compose a chamber piece for the theatre, one that could be performed even in small towns with minimal resources. He composed music to a text by Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, in which the French writer used fairy tale motifs. In this work, full of Neoclassical lightness, the author of The Rite of Spring incorporated references to jazz, tango, and Viennese salon music. Next, we will hear a work by Albert Ginastera, imbued with rhapsodic freedom. In Pampeana No. 1, he drew on the folk traditions of his homeland and included an allusion to its landscape – the famous South American pampa – in the title. The last piece before the intermission will be the fruit of Leoš Janáček’s fascination with Kamila Stösslová, much younger than himself. Although Janáček remained indifferent to the her advances, she became his greatest muse. In this atmosphere of unfulfillment the String Quartet No. 1 was composed, and the direct impetus for its composition was Leo Tolstoy’s short story The Kreutzer Sonata. He translated his literary study of jealousy and affection into the language of sound, and thus a moving musical account of inner conflict was born.

The second part of the evening will be devoted to a presentation of precious string instruments from Italy. Our guide through their secrets will be cellist Wojciech Dutkiewicz, an expert in this field. He will share fascinating anecdotes related to the musicians’ most important tools, and you will have the opportunity to test your skills in distinguishing the sounds produced by instruments crafted by the most talented luthiers.