Sixty years ago this week, Cracow's newly formed Philharmonic Orchestra held its first concert. Barely two weeks had past since the city had been liberated from Nazi rule, and life in the city was chaotic. However, a brief wave of optimism swept through the city, and the inaugural concert of the Cracow Philharmonic rode that wave.
This Friday the Philharmonic will repeat the programme of the opening night of February 3rd 1945. The Philharmonic Hall itself is fresh from a new lick of paint, and the orchestra is geared up for a night to remember.
As you would expect, the pieces from that first night struck a patriotic note, with works by Karlowicz and the hero of Polish cultural heros, Frederic Chopin. As a gesture towards the Russian liberators, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B Minor was also performed.
If you can grab a ticket for this Friday's performance, it promises to be a tremendous occasion. Guest US conductor Kevin Kenner will be doing the honours, and the event kicks off at 6pm.
Ardent conspiracy theorists may point the finger at America as yet another untrustworthy liberator, yet lets not be churlish - the jubilee is something to be celebrated, and in this case, rightly so!
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