The Polish National Alliance, Chicago
And
The Polish American Congress - Texas Division
www.forum-polonia-houston.com


Present

MUSICAL BRIDGES
With
The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Mariusz Smolij, Music Director and Conductor
Adam Golka, Piano

Wortham Theater at the Houston Grand Opera
October 22, 2004, 8:00pm


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PROGRAM
Variations on "America"……………………….……….Charles Ives (1874-1954)
Transcribed and orchestrated by William Schumann

Krakowiak, Op. 14…………………………………..….Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Mr. Adam Golka

Andante spianato & Grande Polonaise Brilliante, Op. 22… Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Mr. Adam Golka

INTERMISSION
"Orawa" for String Orchestra………………………Wojciech Kilar (1932-)

Nocturne in B-Flat Major…………………..Ignacy Paderewski (1860-1941)
Orchestrated by Jerzy Maksymiuk

Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo"………………Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Buckaroo Holiday
Corral Nocturne
Saturday Night Waltz
Hoe - Down


(L-R) Former President of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Mr. Lech Walesa and Houston businessman Ryszard Sienko at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.




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Houston, TX - The Honorary Consul of Poland in Houston along with the organizing committee and the Polish community in Texas celebrated the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the First Polish Settlement in America on Friday evening, October 22nd, 2004. Along with the musicians, staff, volunteers and the entire Acadiana Symphony Orchestra family, who are celebrating their 20th musical season, this evening they observed the national celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Panna Maria, Texas, the birthplace of American Polonia. Highly regarded is their commitment to building musical bridges that connected nations, countries and continents and to allow people to communicate in a common language of music. The evening was a united expression of the soul of American and Polish music which became an inspirational vehicle for the celebration of 150 years of Polish heritage in America. Also present during this celebration is the former president of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Lech Walesa.


(L-R) Former President of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Mr. Lech Walesa and Pawel Pisula at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.




Lech Walesa led the Solidarity movement as a shipyard worker in Gdansk Poland in the late '70's. The Catholic Church supported the movement, and in January 1981, Walesa was cordially received by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. Walesa himself has always regarded his Catholicism as a source of strength and inspiration. In the years 1980-81 Walesa traveled to Italy, Japan, Sweden, France and Switzerland as guest of the International Labour Organisation. In September 1981, he was elected Solidarity Chairman at the First National Solidarity Congress in Gdansk. In October 1983, the announcement of Walesa's Nobel Peace Prize raised the spirits of his underground movement. After risking danger from the Communist military force, he was elected President of the Republic of Poland by December 1990.

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The Acadiana Symphony Orhcestra and Conservatory of Music
Concert of October 22, 2004

Founded in 1984 and incorporated in 1987, the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (ASO) began as an outgrowth of the University of Southwestern Lousiana's L'Orchestre." Dr. Allan Dennis was the premier conductor followed by music directors John Kenney, John Shenaut and Xiao-Lu Li who took over the ASO baton in 1992. During Maestro Li's tenure, the Acadiana Symphony grew in prominence as a major artistic force in the region.

In 2002, after a year - long search, Polish - born Mariusz Smolij was chosen from a list of over 200 candidates to become the fifth music director of the ASO. The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and its 40 - member board of directors govern the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music. The Association has an endowment fund, the Acadiana Symphony Foundation and a volunteer women's association, the Acadiana Symphony Women's League provide further support of its educational initiatives with the Conservatory League.



Mariusz Smolij



The Maestro
MARIUSZ SMOLIJ

www.mariuszsmolij.com

MARIUSZ SMOLIJ is considered one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. The American Symphony Orchestra League in New York included his name on the prestigious list of the most promising young conductors in America and featured him during its special Conductors Preview. In the year 2003, he became Music Director of the Acadiana Symphony in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Maestro Smolij has conducted more than 60 orchestras around the world. He appeared on some of the most prestigious concert stages including the Carnegie Hall in New York, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Salle Gaveau in Paris. His frequent collaboration with the Polish orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, led to concerts on three continents and a series of recording projects featuring masterworks of polish and American symphonic music. His first CD with music by Copland, Gershwin and Bernstein was released in July 2002.

Born in Katowice, Poland, Maestro Smolij is also an accomplished violinist and was the founder and violinist of the internationally recognized Penderecki String Quartet. After studies in Europe, he studied conducting in the United States, and holds a doctorate degree from the Eastman School of Music.



Adam Golka. Photo by Paul T. Sanchez, June 2004.



Guest Artist
ADAM GOLKA

www.adamgolka.com

In 2003, 16-year old Adam Golka came to international attention after winning the gold medal in the 2nd China Shanghai International Piano Competition. Performing Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto with conductor Yang Yang and the French Poitou-Charentes Symphony Orchestra in the final round, he also received the Concerto Prize, determined by audience vote.

Born in the United States of Polish parents, Golka began violin and piano studies at age 4, but after his first solo piano recital at the age of 9, he dedicated himself solely to the piano. He made his orchestral debut, one year later. He has won numerous awards and prizes in prestigious piano competitions across America.

Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas, he is a full-scholarship recipient at Texas Christian University, pursuing an Artist Diploma under the guidance of Jose Feghali8. His first commercial recording, "New Music - New Pianist," contains the solo piano works of composer Jaroslaw Golembiowski and was released in April 2002. Golka's upcoming engagements include concerts in America, China, France, and the Netherlands, including a recital at the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.


(L-R) Zbigniew Sawicki, Pawel Pisula, and Adam Lewandowski at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





(L-R) Mrs. Sawicki, Mr. Zbigniew "Elvis" Sawicki, and friend at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





(L-R) Mr. Zbigniew "Elvis" Sawicki and Pawel Pisula at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





Mr. Lech Walesa engaging in conversation with guests at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





(L-R) Mr. Adam Lewandowski and Mr. Lech Walesa at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





Mr. Lech Walesa and guests at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.





Mr. Lech Walesa being greeted by the Houston crowd at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.