POLISH MUSIC
BRAVELY DISCOVER POLAND
The Choir of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze. Warsaw, 1975. Public domain.
FOLK MUSIC
Polish folk music was full of classic instruments – violins, basses, bagpipes and drums. Depending on the region, this music could be slightly different.
FOLK MUSIC
Polish folk music was full of classic instruments – violins, basses, bagpipes and drums. Depending on the region, this music could be slightly different.
The folk band from Lowicz. 1932. Public domain
They were sung in a language characteristic of the given regions – in Highlander, Masurian or Silesian. Interestingly, depending on the region, other instruments were also used; for example, in Silesia, they were wind bands, while in Podhale, they were string instruments. It showed many similarities to the folk music of other Slavic countries. It was dance music that was played at weddings, mainly in the countryside. This music was initially based on the pentatonic scale and modal scales. Listen to some of the songs that are performed by folk bands.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Poland is the home of romantic artists such as Fryderyk Chopin, Stanisław Moniuszko and Zygmunt Noskowski. Fryderyk Chopin is considered one of the greatest Romantic composers and one of the most important Polish composers in history.
He was one of the most famous pianists of his time, often called the piano poet. An element characteristic of Chopin’s works is deepened expression and drawing on the stylistic patterns of Polish folk music. Stanisław Moniuszko created nationally marked music, weaving into his compositions expressive elements of Polish folklore (folk melodies and dances) and using the works of Polish romantic poets. Zygmunt Noskowski, in turn, educated many great composers.
BEFORE 1939
The time before World War II is the period of creating many hits that are known to this day, and new interpretations appear.
Eugeniusz Bodo as Julian Pagórski in The singer of Warsaw movie (in the center, with a guitar, holding a hat in his hand) surrounded by unrecognized actors in one of the film’s scenes. Public domain.
The last two pieces were recorded nowadays, but the authors – Warszawskie Combo Taneczne faithfully reflect the atmosphere of backyard bands or street orchestras, which at that time played in market squares, yards of tenement houses, and among their instruments were instruments such as a saw, guitar or a comb.
Musical instruments shop. Warsaw, 1926. Public domain.
BEFORE 1939
The time before World War II is the period of creating many hits that are known to this day, and new interpretations appear.
It is the heyday of Polish cabaret and singing actors, and the songs often came from films. Hear from artists famous at a time when no one knew what would happen just a few years later. It is worth emphasizing that the texts were often written by leading poets such as Julian Tuwim and Jan Brzechwa.
Musical instruments shop. Warsaw, 1926. Public domain.
JAZZ CAMPING IN POLAND, 1959
THE 60S AND 70S
The reality that persisted after the war, and at the same time the desire for freedom, which at that time in Poland was limited by communism, made it possible to create places to vent emotions, opening up to the world.
During this time, jazz and swing were developing, contributing to the emergence of events such as Warsaw Jazz Jamboree. In 1965 the first album of the Polish Jazz series was released, which is still released today. Characters such as Leopold Tyrmand – jazz promoter in Poland, Krzysztof Komeda, Warsaw Stompers, Andrzej Kurylewicz, Jerzy Milian – it was then that jazz appeared at every step.
The band “Skaldowie” during their performance during the 12th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. Photo: Grażyna Rutowska
At that time, bigbit was popular among young people, which developed in the Polish region as related genres of rock and roll. Czesław Niemen, Czerwono Czarni, Błękitko-Czarni, Breakout – these artists at that time were in their greatest heyday. It should not be forgotten that in the late 1970s, black and white television and youth series such as A Journey for One Smile or Wojna Domowa, to which Jerzy Duduś Matuszkiewicz composed music, became popular.
The 80s and 90s
The beginning of the 1980s was the time of communism and the censorship of Polish culture. Despite this, musical inspirations from all over the world reach Poland.
Jarocin Festival 1984. Author: Piotr Antoni Wysocki
The 80s and 90s
The beginning of the 1980s was the time of communism and the censorship of Polish culture. Despite this, musical inspirations from all over the world reach Poland.
Some artists were able to release albums in Poland only after the first free elections in Poland and the fall of communism. We begin our musical journey through shipyards and workplaces with the prevailing censorship. Some song titles were modified with annotations (Obywatel G.C). Sometimes the songs were analyzed if they were not protest songs (Mniej niż zero – Lady Pank). At that time, there were also exciting creations, such as a parody of the disco style by actor Piotr Fronczewski in the form of Franek Kimono. There were also artists such as Free and Eric Clapton in the song Sen o Victorii – Dżem. The music Kocham Wolność is a symbolic transition to a free Poland.
Now! Polish music
Currently, Polish music develops in many directions. It is not only popular music but also the alternative scene is growing significantly. Music festivals of various calibre always offer a wide range of performers.
Finally, to calmly move on to the next stage, we will leave you with the Hania Rani piano. In the playlist, you will find both current songs and those reworked from old releases. The contemporary artists often reach for classic pieces of Polish culture, adding their own character and emotions to them, just like in the projects nowOsiecka, Zalewski sings Niemen. It should not be forgotten that the Polish Jazz publishing series continues to be released, which closes this playlist.
Ralph Kaminski on Pol’and’Rock Festival 2019
Photo: Ralf Lotys
Now! Polish music
Currently, Polish music develops in many directions. It is not only popular music but also the alternative scene is growing significantly. Music festivals of various calibre always offer a wide range of performers.
Ralph Kaminski on Pol’and’Rock Festival 2019. Photo: Ralf Lotys
The playlist starts with one example of a new arrangement. Then we follow the music referring to Kashubia’s current edition – the region where Gdańsk is located. Then we can listen to one of the re-performances of the famous piece by Zbigniew Wodecki because this music still appears in new arrangements. The following two are examples of the Polish musical scene – both songs come from original Polish productions. Next, we will go through the Polish electronic scene in the form of the Rysy duo, the mysterious BOKKA band and Skalpel’s synthesizer music. There was also a talented funk bassist, Kinga Głyk.