Scientific conference at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw
On 1 October the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw hosted a scientific conference titled “Witold Rowicki – 100th birth anniversary and 25th death anniversary”. It was organised by the Chair of Conducting at the Department of Composition, Conducting and Theory of Music and financed from the funds of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The conference was opened by Professor Ewa Iżykowska-Kłosiewicz, University Prorector, and Professor Szymon Kawalla, University Dean.
Next a documentary film titled “Cień pod kamieniem” (Shadow under the Stone) directed by Tomasz Dobrowolski was shown. Afterwards the director, who was present at the conference, shared his memories from working on the film with the symposium participants.
he panel involved in the discussion and recollections about Witold Rowicki included: Wojciech Michniewski, Jadwiga Mackiewicz, Marian Gołębiowski, Tadeusz Boniecki, Hanna Wołczedska and Witold Grzegorz Rowicki.
After a short break, lectures followed:
Anna S. Dębowska
“Witold Rowicki – artist and thinker. Why is it worth to read ZAPISKI DYRYGENTA (Conductor’s Notes)?”
Maria Bychawska
“My meetings with Witold Rowicki”
Anna Skulska
“Recollections and thoughts of Witold Rowicki”
Krystyna Juszyszyńska
“Witold Rowicki’s conducting activity in Poland and in the world”
Krystyna Barańska
“Rowicki about himself – fragments of essays, notes and archival statements”
Grzegorz Mańkowski
“Music work and compositions by Witold Rowicki”
The participants discussed conducting activity of Witold Rowicki in Poland and in the world, his overall music work and individual compositions. There was also discussion about the nature and art of conducting in connection with “Zapiski Dyrygenta” by Maestro published recently. Individual presentations were full of quotes, Maestro’s archival statements and numerous musical examples. Students of various departments, representatives of music environment as well as ordinary audience interested Maestro’s life listened to lectures and presentations.
During the symposium further medals were awarded by the family of Witold Rowicki to special contributors in the celebrations of the Maestro’s anniversary year. This time the awardees were: Janusz Ekiert, Professor Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Professor Szymon Kawalla and Jerzy Kaźmierczak – TVP Documentation and Program Content Centre Director".
The scientific conference ended with a concert of compositions by Witold Rowicki. Performing ensemble: Pan-European Philharmonia, soloist:Piotr Kamiński (bassoon). Conductors: Krystyna Barańska, Dominik Ciuraszkiewicz,Agnieszka Maślanka, Paulina Drużbińska, Dawid Runtz, Wojciech Pławner and Grzegorz Mańkowski.
The conference participants could also see an exhibition “Witold Rowicki 1914–1989″ prepared by the National Library of Poland.
Here you may see event photo gallery with photos by Jose Luis Juarez.
