Performers:

Thorwald Jørgensen (Holandia) - theremin
Michał Szymanowski - piano, celesta
Wojciech Herzyk - soloist percussion
Szymon Bywalec - conductor
Toruńska Orkiestra Symfoniczna
Mateusz Ciupka (Ruch Muzyczny) – host

Programme:

S. Kisielewski - Cosmos I
P. Perkowski - Szkice toruńskie: Pomnik Kopernika, Kościół Najświętszej Marii Panny
M. Cynk - Planetoida 12999 Toruń
M. Bałenkowski - Comets
F. Say – III Symfonia Universe op. 43 - POLSKA PRAPREMIERA

The forthcoming concert promises to be an extraordinary artistic spectacle, inviting us to embark on a profound exploration of the deepest mysteries within the musical cosmos. The carefully curated repertoire will feature magnificent works that transcend the boundaries of familiarity, presenting the audience with a captivating vision of a vibrant Universe brimming with a kaleidoscope of sounds. 

Among the highlights, we will be treated to Comets by Maciej Bałenkowski—an exquisite composition inspired by the spectacular passage of comets and meteor showers. In this intriguing work, the composer deliberately restricts his expressive means to fully embrace the emotional and expressive facets of the music. He skilfully blends traditional and unconventional methods of sound production, employing string instruments, wind instruments, and the piano to craft a captivating sonic landscape. Additionally, we’ll hear the symphonic masterpiece Cosmos I by Stefan Kisielewski, rooted in a concise leitmotif and deeply inspired by the concept of ‘eternal movement’. The composition boasts a rhythmic diversity that effectively captures the enchanting dynamism of a constantly evolving cosmic universe. Our musical journey will also feature a piece by Magdalena Cynk, a Toruń-based composer renowned for her dedicated musical series inspired by planetoids. Planetoid 12999 Toruń stands as a monumental symphonic work dedicated to her hometown— a captivating musical narrative that unfolds from the depths of all-encompassing chaos, evoking the birth of the cosmos itself. 

The pinnacle of the evening will be the Polish premiere of Fazil Say’s monumental composition, Symphony No. 3 'Universe'. This masterpiece, hitherto unheard on Polish stages, presents a thrilling challenge due to its expansive and intricate instrumentation. It will transport music enthusiasts on an extraordinary voyage through a galaxy teeming with captivating phenomena, enriched by the composer's boundless artistic imagination. Adding to the evening’s splendour, we are honoured to host an exceptional soloist, Thorwald Jørgensen, one of Europe’s preeminent thereminists.   This marks the Toruń Symphony Orchestra’s debut performance featuring the theremin—a testament to the institution’s commitment to charting new musical horizons. The inclusion of this instrument is a rare occurrence in Poland. 

In Fazil Say’s symphony, which delves into astronomical data and the symbolism of numbers, every element is purposeful and deliberate. The composer deftly captures the dynamism and diversity of the cosmos by incorporating instruments rarely used by orchestras, such as the HAPI Drum, Waterphone, Ocean Waves, Windmachine, UFO Oscar Drum, Waterphone, Sansula, and Daxophone, and expertly modulating key and rhythm. For instance, in the opening movement, the expansion of the Universe is expressed through variations in the number of bars. Throughout the performance, we will uncover the secrets of life on Venus, find ourselves amidst a tempestuous Jupiter storm and in the proximity of a cataclysmic Supernova, ultimately embarking on a quest to unveil the enigma of dark matter. 

Mecenas Główny: Gmina Miasta Toruń
Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego pochodzących 
z Funduszu Promocji Kultury w ramach programu „Muzyka”, realizowanego przez Narodowy Instytut Muzyki i Tańca
Partner Główny: Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego
Mecenas Kultury - Główny Sponsor: PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A. 
Mecenasi: Toruńskie Zakłady Materiałów Opatrunkowych Spółka Akcyjna oraz marki: Seni i Bella, Weyna Invest Sp. Jawna, Urbitor Spółka z o.o.
Partnerzy: Galeria Copernicus, Vobacom Spółka z o.o.
Patroni medialni: TVP Kultura, TVP3 Bydgoszcz, TV TORUŃ, Polskie Radio PiK, Polskie Centrum Informacji Muzycznej
Organizator: Toruńska Orkiestra Symfoniczna