The festive period traditionally resounds with carols and other Christmas songs. The ICE Kraków Congress Centre also presents some quirky takes on classical music.
On 2 January, the concert Carols for Today features Christmas songs with lyrics by Jacek Cygan performed by his friends Anna Dymna, Anna Jurksztowicz, Beata Rybotycka, Krzysztof Antkowiak and Stanisław Soyka. Waldemar Malicki and his highly entertaining Filharmonia Dowcipu bring a dose of good humour on 8 January with a repertoire ranging from Stanisław Moniuszko to AC/DC. Alicja Majewska and Włodzimierz Korcz bring a note of reflection with their programme Life Worth Living on 9 January. The following day, state-of-the-art technology and archive recordings from the Vatican come together to bring the Golec brothers’ dream of carolling with John Paul II to life.
The month culminates with a performance by Natalia Kukulska. The programme of Sensitive Strings (29 January) features selected works by Frederic Chopin adapted as symphonic pieces for the first time and including lyrics penned by Kukulska herself as well as Mela Koteluk, Kayah, Gaba Kulka, Natalia Grosiak and Bovska. The artist is accompanied by the Beethoven Academy Orchestra, with Adam Sztaba, Nikola Kołodziejczyk, Jan Smoczyński and Krzysztof Herdzin stepping up to the pulpit. (Bartosz Suchecki, Kraków Culture)
