National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze https://www.mazowsze.waw.pl/en/news/601,Concert-MAZOWSZE-TO-NIEPODLEGLA-at-the-Podlasie-Opera-and-Phi lharmonic-in-Bialys.html 2021-10-01, 15:13 Concert “MAZOWSZE TO NIEPODLEGŁA ” at the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic in Białystok On February th, 19 Mazowsze’s soloists, choir, ballet, and orchestra, directed by maestro Jacek Boniecki, gave the concert “MAZOWSZE TO NIEPODLEGŁA.” It was part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Białystok. It also included the award ceremony for the “Person of the Century,” which took place in at the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic. The concert “MAZOWSZE TO NIEPODLEGŁA” is a special project prepared for the double jubilee – the 70th anniversary of Mazowsze and the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland. Its program includes patriotic songs, pertaining to the historic events of 1918, which perfectly fit into the celebration of the 100th anniversary of regaining independence. It also includes the most famous songs and dances from the ensemble’s rich repertoire. During the concert, the audience applauded folk songs sung by Mazowsze, which were very well-known to them. The artists presented some of the most beautiful and colorful things in Polish folklore, with the accompaniment of Mazowsze’s symphonic orchestra. In a whirlpool of colors, the audience witnessed Polish national dances, like the polonaise, oberek, mazur, or kujawiak, and also some regional dances, together with the characteristic, original chants, for example Highland and Dzierżaki dances. There was a dance suite based on the folklore from Limanowa, and a beautiful dance routine from Zielona Góra. The viewers also saw polka- mazurka – a type of polka, which combines the rhythm of mazurka with the dance figures of polka.Mazowsze danced to the music of Leopold Lewandowski, presenting a choreographic routine authored by the legendary choreographer, Witold Zapała, who used to work with Mazowsze in the past. It was a unique, special concert for several reasons, but most of all because of the anniversary, so important for the city. That is why, when the patriotic songs came onto the stage, there was a very solemn atmosphere in the concert hall. The songs, written in difficult, often breaking moments for Polish people – such as the uprisings, or the world wars – are always very moving for the listeners. Mazowsze presented “Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino” [“Red Poppies at Monte Cassino”], the song by Feliks Konarski, which is a cultural asset, and has both a historical and an emotional meaning for Poles. Over the years, it has gained the name of one of the Polish independence hymns. The audience also heard classic songs, such as “Legiony” [“The Legions”] or “Wojenko, wojenko” [“War, Oh War”]. Mazowsze’s female voices vocalists sang the song“Rozkwitały pąki białych róż” [“White Roses in Bloom”]. It is one of the songs which underline that the history of Poland is also the history of brave, wise Polish women, who lived and thrived in the difficult times of the fights for independence. Another female accent of the evening was the song “Dwa serduszka” [“Two Little Hearts”] sung by the soloist, Katarzyna Miąsik, with Anna Łukawska. The original Mazowsze song has become more popular thanks to Paweł Pawlikowski’s movie Cold War, which is nominated for Academy Awards in three categories. Awaiting further awards, the ensemble promotes their music, which appeared in the movie. Mazowsze is happy to have been able to be a part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of regaining independence, and rejoice together with the people of Białystok, who have chosen this place to live and work, and in this way contribute to building up the community of Białystok. Photography by Piotr Pasieczny/FOTOBUENO Previous Next.