9 VIII — 19:00
Adrian Janus – baritone
Władysław Szymański – organ
Program:
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 543
“Mache dich, mein Herze, rein” from the St. Matthew Passion BWV 244
“Nichts ist es spat und frühe” from the Cantata In allen meinen Taten BWV 97
Giovanni Morandi (1777-1856)
Gran sinfonia variata
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
“Es ist genug” from the oratorio Elijah, Op. 70
Paweł Łukaszewski (*1968)
O God, Our Father and Protector (Boże, Ojcze nasz i Opiekunie)
Healey Willan (1880-1968)
Scherzo in G minor
Antonio Stradella (1643-1682)
Pietà, Signore (arr. L. Niedermeyer)
Percy Fletcher (1879-1932)
Festival Toccata
Adrian Janus
A graduate of the Katowice Academy of Music and the prestigious Young Talents Development Program “Opera Academy” at the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, he honed his skills under the guidance of the most prominent pedagogues, such as Olga Pasiecznik and Izabella Kłosińska. His talent quickly gained recognition in opera houses—from his debut at the Silesian Opera, through roles in Warsaw, to performances at the Kaunas State Theatre. Adrian Janus is a highly versatile artist, as confirmed by his participation in such prestigious events as the Wratislavia Cantans International Festival and the Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. An impressive list of awards, including first prizes at competitions in Karlovy Vary and Bydgoszcz, as well as accolades at the prestigious Belvedere Competition, testifies to the international caliber of his artistry. In Adrian Janus’s voice, listeners will find not only technical proficiency but also a deep interpretive sensitivity, allowing him to tackle Mendelssohn’s oratorio drama and Bach’s Baroque precision with equal ease.
Prof. Dr hab. Władysław Szymański
An outstanding organist, composer, and one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Polish artistic education. His musical path, leading through the Institute of Musicology at the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) and the Academy of Music in Katowice, resulted not only in a virtuoso career but also in valuable academic achievements concerning the historic organs of Upper Silesia. For years, he served as Rector of his alma mater in Katowice, shaping successive generations of musicians while remaining an active and globally acclaimed performer.
As the organist of the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Mikołów, a position he has held since 1979, he has become the guardian of the local musical tradition. His performances have been applauded across nearly all of Europe and in China, and his compositional output has been frequently awarded in competitions. Recognition for his outstanding contributions to culture and science is confirmed by numerous decorations, including the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis and the Gold Badge “For Merits to Polish Science.” His playing reflects a rare combination of musicological erudition and artistic intuition, allowing him to elicit tones from the instrument that perfectly correspond with every era – from Baroque brilliance to contemporary, original expression.