Marta Ptaszynska came to the revolution late.
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For much of the first half of the 20th century, music in Poland had been about nationalism, and folk-inspired work was all the rage. Still, despite the anti-German sentiment strongly expressed in that era’s poetry, many composers borrowed from the orchestration of Wagner and Richard Strauss. But “no Schoenberg–none of the atonal music from the Second Viennese School,” Ptaszynska points out.
Some artists like Andrzej Panufnik chafed under the regimentation and eventually left Poland. Others waited for a thaw in the government’s attitude. When the first Warsaw Autumn was mounted to showcase new trends and composers in Europe, says Ptaszynska, the apparatchiks gave their surprisingly quick approval, perhaps mindful of favorable publicity abroad. The festival was a resounding success. “Finally, Schoenberg was approved and showing his influence everywhere,” she says.
The concert is at 3 PM this Sunday, April 22, in Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th (773-702-7300); tickets are $15, $8 for students, and include admission to a preconcert discussion hosted by Ptaszynska at 2 PM. For info about other events in the conference, all free of charge, call 773-702-8484.
