Stan Breckenridge is jamming with Samokin Band in a rendition of “Summertime”, and an improvisational song about Łódź at the Swingujący Helenów event in Łódź. The event took place on June 22, 2014, and was organized by Centrum Dialogu Łódź.
Here is a photo of the very large cemetery on Lapowa in Lublin during “All Souls Day” on November 1st. In a place where many find ominous or sorrowful, it is quite a beautiful and joyous occasion in Poland. Like in the U.S., “All Saints Day”, it is a day to remember and celebrate the lives of family and friends who are no longer with us.
A wider view of the cemetery during “All Souls Day” on November 1st in Poland. The 100s of illuminated candles create an over-exposed yet interesting view of this important holiday.
I had the pleasure of attending a chamber music concert at the Filharmonia Narodowa in Warsaw on September 26, 2012. The Wroclawska Orkiestra Kameralna LEOPOLDINUM conducted by Ernst Kovacic, consists of 12 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, and 2 double bass. The orchestra performed Concerto in D by Stravinsky, Danse sacred et dance profane by Debussy, Divertimento F-dur KV 138 by Mozart, Breathe by Hana Kulenty (who was present), Etiudy by Frank Martin, and Sinfonietta op. 52 by Albert Roussel. A highlight of the evening was listening to the Debussy piece that featured Ronith Mues on harp.
At the Outdoor Culture Museum in Torun I was obliged to play an instrument used to scare aware the devil and all other unwanted creatures. It is played by bowing the metal strings while lifting and striking the ground in tempo. If the looks of the instrument don’t do the trick, the terrible sound surely will.
On Friday, September 21, 2012 we (Fulbrighters) attended a classical music concert in the city of Bydgoszcz. The city is located in northern Poland, about 50 kilometers from Torun, on the Brda and Vistula rivers. Performed by the Pomeranian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Takao Ukigaya, selections included vocal pieces by Mozart, featuring soprano Olga Pasiecznik, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’, in E-flat, Opus 55.
This collection is filled with photos of various castles and buildings throughout Torun and its surrounding territories.
Completed in 1406, Malbork is an excellent example of a medieval castle.
Built by the Prussians in 1406, we are crossing the bridge before entering the front of the world’s largest, surface-wise, fortress. This was, and perhaps still is, the largest of similar structures made of brick.
After passing under two gates with sharp edges, nearly hidden holes where archers stood waiting for an intruder, or some type of hot substance (e.g., oil) that drops from above, I’m now standing in the inside of this enormous fortified castle.
Here we (Fulbrighters) are standing in one of the rooms the Teutonic Knights used for socializing and entertainment. The heating system in this castle was nothing shy of ingenious.
No wonder Malbork was never invaded, look at the size of these canon balls! (My foot provides a reference.)
Here stands the newly completed Fryderyka Chopina Museum in Warsaw. The museum is adorned with memorabilia of Chopin such as one of his last pianos played by him, original composition manuscripts, various writings about people and things in a number of notebooks and others.
The newly built museum in Warsaw.
Prelude in E Minor by Chopin was my first successfully played classical piece, so I am somewhat partial to Chopin.
Fulbrighter had the pleasure of taking Polish language classes at the esteemed University of Nicholaus Copernicus. Copernicus (1473-1543) was the astronomer and mathematician who published his work on what he called the heliocentric solar system.
Polish language classes were held at the University of Nickolaus Copernicus. As you may recall, Copernicus is a Renaissance philosopher who postulated the earth is displaced from the center of the universe.
The goal of the book, as indicated by its cover, is to convey the notion that Polish can be learned by people of different cultures/nationalities.
Here is my Polish language class completion certificate. The Polish language classes was an informative and enjoyable experience. Here is where I learned how to count, beginning conversation such as How are you?, How much is this?, My name is, and how to order tickets for train traveling, which is the best way to travel throughout the country.
STAN BRECKENRIDGE 