Newsletter of the Polish Cultural Council • Vol. 11 • Winter/Spring 2013 Hold on to your seats and get ready to The play moves into the Nazi-Soviet inva- If the PCC accepts the invitation to sit on come to the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical sions of 1939, still following the children as the panel, I am seriously considering inviting a Theatre’s (PICT) production of “Our Class” young adults and anticipating their fates. As Jedwabne expert, a Polish Professor from opening in April 2013. This controversial play, further distances grow between nationalistic Washington D.C., to be a participant and written by Polish playwright Tadeusz speak to the historical facts of the play. This Slobodzianek, and translated by Message from the President is a person who has intensively studied Ryan Craig, is based on the theme Jan Gross’s book, on which the play is of Jan Gross explosive book Neighbors. based, and has spoken in other forums. I am The play opens up in 1925 and follows the Catholic Poles and Jewish Poles who welcome also considering asking some of our PCC lives of ten members of a school class in their Soviet “Liberators”, the play takes on a members, who are much more versed with Jedwabne, Poland. Half are Jewish Poles the very ugly twist. At this point, the Catholic Poles war time Poland than I, to also be a panelist. If other half Catholic Poles. The children, as all are portrayed descending into caricature, pro- you would like to be considered to be on the children do, intermingle and play with each filed as rapists, thugs and betrayers of their panel, please contact our executive director other, but issues between the two groups “neighbors.” The Polish action culminates in and we will determine who will best represent begin to manifest. The play follows through the the historically disputed roundup of 1600 the Polish community. 1930s, as we watch the children get older, as Jedwabne Jews, forcing them into a barn and As I said, hold on to your seats, because the political leaders of Poland become more burning it to the ground. this is going to be a wild and unchartered ride. nationalistic and Catholic priests begin to voice The play is presented in association with The Polish community needs to be engaged in anti-semitic hostilities. the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. PICT has this type of controversy and not look the other contacted the PCC and has asked us to be in way, but never sway from the truth. We need a formal discussion group after one of the pro- to come to grips with any blemishes on the 2013 Board of Directors ductions, ostensibly with members of the wartime record of our heroic ancestral home- Holocaust Center. This is a challenge but it is land but always in the context of the sacrifices OFFICERS: a challenge that is going to have to be met they went through during these horrible times. Rick Pierchalski, PRESIDENT with open and honest dialogue. —Rick Pierchalski Merle Addams, PRESIDENT EmERITuS Joseph Kaminski, VIcE PRESIDENT Evanne Addams, TREaSuRER Teresa Barger, SEcRETaRy MEMBERS: John Bartus Hon. Edward Borkowski James Clark Mike Dawida, Esq. Lorene Drake Vinski Mary Louise Ellena Kasia Goszcz-Bruniany Irene Jakubowski Timothy Kuzma David J. Motak Lisa Sasinoski Eva Tumiel-Kozak Andrzej Wojcieszynski Marie Zielmanski Fallon Marysia Zioncheck Maria Staszkiewicz, ExEcuTIVE DIREcToR A scene from “Our Class”, a controversial play written by Polish playwright Tadeusz Slobodzianek. Grzybowski Concert Remarkable Witold Lutoslawski, by Jakub Polaczyk Hall. His intepretation of the electroa- one of the coustic Ephiphora by P. Mykietyn took greatest com- On Sunday, October 28th, the my breath away. The third time, I had a posers of the PCC, in collaboration with the Music chance to hear him accompanying Olga 20th century Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pasiecznik at the 2010 Cracow has been rec- presented an extraordinary event: a Composers song recital, at Florian's Hall. ognized by the piano recital by Maciej Grzybowski at All these times he has proved to be a great Parliament of the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. Maciej soloist and one of the best Polish modern the Republic Grzybowski, a fabulous pianist from artists. I was waiting impatiently for his of Poland, Poland, has been especially known for concert in Pittsburgh. which designated the year 2013 as his contemporary interpretations. Grzybowski’s solo recital included some Witold Lutoslawski Year. Many Polish composers would love to romantic, impressionistic pieces by: The 25th of January 2013 has write for him and several have already Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Szymanowski, marked the 100th anniversary of Ravel & Gould. It was a great concept to Witold Lutoslawski’s birth, a compos- present as an intermezzi (interludes) the er whose works have immense influ- Polish XX century piano music, so called ence upon the development of serious “postmodernistic” Four Preludes by Pawel music of our times. His discoveries of Mykietyn, and before the intermission, the the new language of music, his cre- hypnotizing Two Piano studies by P. ative use of tradition and the masterly Szymanski. It was a rare occasion for me compositional technique have placed to hear the latter piece live. It’s 20 years him firmly within the ranks of the old, but there are still only a few pianists, twentieth century's most outstanding who can take on a challenge. I am glad composers. Lutoslawski Year and cel- that this “unconventional style” of the ebrations of this anniversary will be Polish composer was introduced to the organized all over the world including Polish-American audience here. Pawel Marciej Grzybowski performs at the Frick Fine some recognition on our own Arts Auditorium on Oct. 28. Szymanski occasionally plays a game with WQED-FM. At the end of last year, his listeners, sometimes adding the PCC recognized Maestro Lutoslawski dedicated pieces to this extraordinary baroque style of Bach into his composi- with the Twelve Folk Melodies, mas- interpreter. tions. The first study was played slower terly performed by the pianist, Maciej It was the fourth time that I heard than the score indicated; nevertheless, it Grzybowski at the Frick Fine Arts. Grzybowski live. First, it was in 2007, was still an incredible experience for the In the early nineties, Maestro at the Polish Music Festival, where he audience. Lutoslawski spent close to 10 days in performed the Shakspeare’s Sonnets We also heard Twelve Polish Melodies Pittsburgh where he conducted the by P. Mykietyn in the “Bagatela by Witold Lutoslawski composed in neo- Pittsburgh Orchestra in his famous Theater” with Arno Raunig. I was classical style during his fascination with Third Symphony. He has also worked amazed by the expressivness of his Bela Bartok’s music, and impressionistic with the Pittsburgh New Music piano playing. The next day, at the "Methopes" by Karol Szymanowski. Ensemble which performed his Chain same festival. he gave a solo recital in Grzybowski’s remarkable intepretations I under David Stock; also with the Krakow (Cracow) Radio Concert are really unique, with uncommon treat- Duquesne’s University Students’ ment of time, and a great sense of form. Orchestra and the Music Department His many marvelous ways of sound articu- of the University of Pittsburgh. Polish Journey is a publication of the Polish lation reminded me of the greatest piano We all remember this humble, Cultural Council, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organiza- masters such as: Vladimir Horowitz or charming gentleman, always positive, tion. Please address your correspondence to: Glenn Gould. He also proved to be a always bringing out the best in every- Polish Cultural Council, P.O. Box 81054, master of the polyphonic voices and the Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0554, tel: 412.871.3347 body, emanating special charisma, repetition technique. especially when working with musi- Rick Pierchalski, President; This unforgettable for me event ended Maria Staszkiewicz, Executive Director, cians, young and old alike. with an encore, the refreshing Sonata in c [email protected]; In 1991, Duquesne University Charlotte Murray, Editor-in-Chief; minor by D. Scarlatti, showing the bestowed on him a Doctorate of Maria Staszkiewicz, Eva Tumiel-Kozak, Veronica pianist’s “other” side in delicate interpre- Honoris Causa in a festive ceremony Wojnarowski, Editors; tation. which gathered many representatives Kasia Goszcz-Bruniany, Graphic Artist; of Polonia. Mary Seamans, Graphic Design; Jakub Polaczyk is a composer and pianist, second visit us @ www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org year Artist Diploma composition student, Music etk Dept., Carnegie Mellon University. 2 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2013 The Legacy of Jan Karski throughout Eastern Europe. Karski’s stature grew within the international community, because he was the only person who had eyewit- ness reports of the tragedy of Polish Jewry. He reported his information personally to the likes of President Roosevelt and Supreme court Justice Felix Frankfurter. Frankfurter was so taken aback by the information which Karski provided that he emphatically refused to believe Karski. Roosevelt, at a meeting in the oval office, did A memorial plaque at Georgetown University not respond to Karski’s account. Instead, he was more interested in the Polish underground State. the consulate building. He sits and after the war, Jan Karski earned his contemplates his life and what he has PH.D at Georgetown university. He seen of man’s inhumanity to man. His went on to teach in Georgetown’s for- legacy remains as it always has been: eign diplomacy curriculum for 40 Jan Karski’s mission for Humanity. years. Bill clinton is a former student. Jan Karski Karski’s accolades are almost too — Rick Pierchalski numerous to name. Because of his many of our readers know the achievements, he was given honorary Jan Karski told the story of his wartime name Jan Karski.