Culture in Poznań

Culture

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The discreet charm of the Polish People's Republic

Polish music from the era of the Polish People's Republic (commonly referred to by the Polish abbreviation PRL) means different things for different people. For some, it is predominantly punk tunes from the Jarocin festival, for others it's the rock hits of the band Perfect, for others yet the classic hits of the 1960s and "70s. And although decades have elapsed since their creation, these tunes haven't lost a bit of their original freshness and energy. You can see this first-hand at the Poznański Chór Projektowy's concert where, backed by outstanding musicians, they will play The Best of PRL concert at Aula Artis.

Photo from the concert: women in long white-silver dresses singing on stage. - grafika artykułu
photograph: Poznański Chór Projektowy

Here is how Poznański Chór Projektowy, a 60-member choir founded by conductor Przemysław Piechocki, briefly sums up its work: "We sing popular and entertaining numbers, maintaining top-notch quality with a dash of humour. It is a guaranteed musical feast and a jolly good time!" Made up of choristers from the greater Poznań area, opera artists from Poznań, students of the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Musical Academy, members of the Września-based Bel Coro choir, and independent artists, the choir, founded in 2020, initially only performed in our region but quickly gained acclaim beyond its borders.

No surprises there. Take, for instance, the series of choir concerts featuring Ukrainian folk songs under the cheeky title "Putin, idi na chór!" ("Go choir yourself, Putin!"), held to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invader. Teaming up with Krystyna Prońko, the ensemble delivered bold arrangements of well-known Ukrainian tunes, backed by a chamber orchestra and solo vocalists, turning them into major hits that demonstrated the unique appeal of Poznański Chór Projektowy. Equally captivating was the event Ach, jak przyjemnie, a concert featuring remakes of Polish smash hits from the 1920s and 1930s, including the titular Ach, jak przyjemnie by Irena Santor, as well as Już taki jestem zimny drań by Mieczysław Fogg, and Miłość ci wszystko wybaczy by Hanka Ordonówna.

This time, Poznański Chór Projektowy zeroes in on the Polish People's Republic era of the 1960s and "70s, when Małgośka by Maryla Rodowicz, Kawiarenki by Irena Jarocka, and O mnie się nie martw by Katarzyna Sobczyk ruled the airwaves for most Poles. Notably, the choir will be sharing the stage with esteemed instrumentalists, including Jacek Skowroński and Andrzej Mazurek, who have left an indelible mark on Polish stage music and who are known for collaborations with Hanna Banaszak and Maryla Rodowicz. For the older crowd, "The Best of PRL" promises a delightful trip down the memory lane, while the younger ones are in for a fantastic time-travel ride. Mark your calendars - you won't want to miss it!

Sebastian Gabryel

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

Poznański Chór Projektowy, The Best of PRL

Aula Artis

26 February, 5pm, 8pm

Tickets: PLN 140

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024