Join us to enjoy Romantic choral music during a concert by the Polish National Youth Choir. The programme will focus on the choral works of Johannes Brahms – one of the giants of 19th-century music, whose style was shaped by the Classical tradition and Romantic aesthetic.

The choir, under the artistic direction of Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny, brings together talented young singers from across Poland, developing their skills under the guidance of distinguished conductors and teachers. During the August PNYC events, Jan Hoffmann will guest-conduct works by Johannes Brahms. Vocal music holds a special place in Brahms’s oeuvre. This area of ​​work differs fundamentally from his symphonies and concertos. It is characterised by greater intimacy yet is also a testament to his extraordinary sense of wordplay, timbre, and form.

The concert’s repertoire features Sieben Lieder op. 62, and Drei Gesänge op. 42 – works showcasing the subtlety of choral sound and the lyrical, contemplative nature of Brahms’s work, deeply rooted in the German Romantic song of the 19th century. A significant part will also be Liebeslieder-Walzer op. 52 – a cycle of miniatures for vocal quartet and piano for four hands. The composer gracefully combines the dance rhythms of the Viennese waltz with poetic reflections on the various facets of love, creating a work full of elegance, lightness, and romantic charm. Zigeunerlieder op. 103 are songs inspired by Hungarian and Romani music, pulsating with lively rhythms, distinctive melodies, and contrasting expression. Although they are not arrangements of authentic folk melodies, they capture their energy and spontaneity. The entire performance will showcase Johannes Brahms as an artist who combined the masterly handling of form with profound emotional expression in his vocal compositions. It is a musical journey through the world of romantic feelings, nature, and singing itself – a story about the beauty of the human voice.