WE ARE HAPPY TO INFORM THAT OUR FOUNDATION HAS BECOME A BENEFICIARY OF THE PROGRAM OF THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE “PROMOTION OF POLISH CULTURE ABROAD”!
As part of this program, we will implement the “Harelkin in America” project, which involves performing the most difficult work of clarinet literature – Harlekin for solo clarinet by Karlheinz Stockhausen, during the International Clarinet Congress ClarinetFest in Denver (USA) – the largest clarinet event in the world. The second performance is planned in Santa Fe (Argentina).
Harlequin’s musical journey will connect North and South America with a performance of a stage piece lasting approximately 55 minutes that incorporates theatrical and musical elements. This is the most difficult piece in all world clarinet literature. Performing the work requires the performer, in addition to preparing the musical text and excellent physical condition, to also have dancing, acting and pantomime skills, which is why the piece is performed by only a small handful of clarinetists around the world. A costume specially designed for this occasion plays an important role. The seven parts of the piece played attacca show the diversity of character and music, from lyrical, funny to dramatic motifs.
The performer will be the outstanding Polish instrumentalist Dr. Hab. Barbara Borowicz, who specializes in performing Stockhausen’s music and cooperates with Stockhausen Stiftung fur Musik. She was the only Polish clarinetist who worked on the interpretation of this piece with Suzanne Stephens, for whom Stockhausen wrote it, and also obtained her approval to perform it.
CO-FINANCED FROM THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE FROM THE STATE BUDGET.
North America
International Clarinet Congress ClarinetFest 2023
The first element of the project is a concert during the International Clarinet Congress ClarinetFest 2023 in Denver (USA), organized by the International Clarinet Association based in the USA, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. About two thousand clarinet lovers are planned to participate, which makes ClarinetFest the largest event of this type in the world. We are even more proud that Barbara Borowicz was invited as a headline artist – the first Polish clarinetist in the history of the congress.
On July 7, at the Westminster Ballroom, an international audience will witness this extraordinary spectacle.
Our partners in this project are:
International Clarinet Association
Stockhausen Stiftung für Musik
Polish Institute New York
Vandoren
Henri Selmer Paris
Clarineat
Silverstein Works
South America
The second performance of Harlekin will take place on October 26, at the Teatro Municipal in Santa Fe, Argentina. At 8:30 p.m., the Argentinian audience will be taken by Barbara Borowicz on a journey through the seven personalities of Stockhausen’s Harlekin.
Our partners in Argentina are:
Escuela de Musica N 9901
Universidad Nacional de Litoral
Ministerio de Cultura de Santa Fe
Stockhausen Stiftung für Musik
Vandoren
Henri Selmer Paris
Clarineat
Silverstein Works
SUMMARY AND promotional video
As we close 2023, we think back to the project that was the largest so far in the history of the Foundation. Two large and demanding concerts on two continents. Months of preparation, rehearsals, tailoring adjustments, hundreds of e-mails and messages with arrangements. Finally, we can confirm with a clear conscience that… we succeeded! We will remember both trips, concerts and all accompanying events for a long time. We are also convinced that the memory of this will not fade among the recipients of our project and that the Polish Harlekin will be talked about overseas for a very long time!
The majority of the audience gathered at the Westminster Ballroom in Denver were participants of the clarinet congress, and the Polish artist’s performance was enthusiastically received there, making Polish clarinet performance famous. It is worth noting that it was also the first time in the 50-year history of the congress that a Polish artist performed as a Headline Artist – one of the main performers of the entire event. The greater the prestige and value of the fully successful first part of the project.
The second performance, which took place in Argentina, was similarly warmly received. It was the first performance of Harlekin in this country. In the full Teatro Municipal hall, the audience gave warm applause and thanked them for the performance. The instrumental master classes accompanying the concert also attracted a large group of listeners and active participants.
We would like to thank all institutional partners and people without whom we would not be able to do half of the planned things. We also promise not to give up our weapons and continue to promote Polish culture and performance in the world!
We invite you to watch a short film with snapshots from the production of Harlekin in America!
