Karol Mossakowski – an acclaimed organist of the young generation – will perform with the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. He will play a work by Joseph Jongen, one of the most important composers of Belgian origin. The evening will end with Symphony No. 8 in G major op. 88 by Antonín  Dvořák.

Joseph Jongen is appreciated in particular for his works for organ. Jongen was not only a composer, but also an excellent organist, whose playing enriched, among others religious ceremonies in the church of St James in Liège, his hometown. The Belgian composer’s oeuvre includes the Symphonie concertante op. 81. Created in the 1920s, it was intended for organ and orchestra. The artist began working on the score for this monumental work in 1926, but its premiere took place nearly a decade later at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The symphony, consisting of four elaborate movements and crowned with an impressive toccata, delights with the full sound palette of the organ and equally elaborated orchestra parts. The piece is considered to be one of the greatest works for organ of the 20th century.

The evening will end with Symphony No. 8 in G major op. 88, one of the most popular works by Antonín Dvořák. The music of the Romantic era was often dramatic, and its material carried a huge emotional load, also to be found in the works of the Czech artist, but the symphony programmed for tonight is surprisingly light and cheerful in expression. This carefree and idyllic character was influenced by the composer’s idyllic surroundings at the time of writing it. The Eighth was created during Dvořák’s stay in the Rusalka villa, in the village of Vysoká u Příbramě. In this hugely attractive, accessible work full of catchy melodies you can hear a distinct inspiration by Bohemian folk music.