It is not often that we get to write about festivals starting their sixth decade - but this time around we get to showcase one of such events! As always, the programme of the Music in Old Cracow Festival is packed with outstanding artists - from Piotr Pawlak, a representative of the younger generation who captivated the audience at the last Chopin Competition, to Lidia Grychtołówna, who has been enchanting audiences behind the keyboard for over 70 years.
Early music aficionados will certainly enjoy what the organisers have in store for them. The Royal Rorantists will showcase works from Seville Cathedral (Pedro de Escobar) and Kraków Cathedral (Krzysztof Borek), the Musica con Grazia ensemble will take us to the walls of 17th-century Piarist monasteries, the Kraków Viol Consort will take us to the Earthly Paradise and to England during the reign of the first Stuarts, whilst the harpsichordists Elżbieta Stefańska and Mariko Shioya will invite us to an evening with Bach and Handel – The Meeting That Never Was. The NOSPR String Quartet and the Kraków Wind Quintet will perform a chamber concerto, we will also listen to the voices of Triplum and Sei Terre. Starck Compagnay will bring the whole event to a close with the triumphant sounds of the Baroque brass.
As the festival’s name suggests, the concerts will take place in venues including the courtyard of Collegium Maius, St. Mary’s Basilica and the many churches of the Augustinians, the Piarists and the Carmelites, as well as the Kraków Philharmonic Hall, co-organiser of some of this year’s events.
15 August 2026, Saturday, 6pm
Kraków Philharmonic
Piotr Pawlak – piano
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
Michał Klauza – conductor
***
Jan Engel (d. 1788) Symphony in D minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Piano Concerto in A major K. 414
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) Symphony No 2 in D major, Op. 36
16 August 2026, Sunday, 6pm
Collegium Maius, courtyard (in case of rain: Kraków Philharmonic, Golden Hall)
Katarzyna Kurowska-Mleczko – flute
Marek Mleczko – oboe
Roman Widaszek – clarinet
Paweł Solecki – bassoon
Tadeusz Tomaszewski – horn
***
Franz Danzi (1763–1826) Bläserquintett in B flat major, Op. 56 No. 1
Ferenc Farkas (1905–2000) Maschere pour trio d'anches
György Ligeti (1923–2006) Sechs Bagatellen
Krzesimir Dębski (1953) Cantabile in h for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Jacques Ibert (l890–1962) Cinq pieces pour trio d'anches
Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006) Three Shanties, Op. 4
17 August 2026, Monday, 8pm
Hall of Bl. Jacob
Cracovia Mundi
Floripari:
Michał Jan Barański – baritone
Maria Klich – soprano, hurdy-gurdy, psaltoery
Violetta Szopa-Tomczyk – vielle
Mateusz Kowalski – knee-held vielle
Justyna Grabowska – portaitve organ
Adam Nowakowski – lute
Aleksander Tomczyk – early wind and percussion instruments, artistic direction
***
Mikołaj of Radom (c. 1380 – c. 1460) Alleluja, MS Kras 52
Jerzy Liban of Legnica (1464 – after 1546) Ortus de Polonia (1501) from De accentuum ecclesiasticorum exquisita ratione, Kraków, c. 1539 r.
Anonymous Cracovia civitas (kompozycja z lat 1424–1426), t. S. Ciołek (1382–1437), MS Kras 52
Anonymous (15th c.) Chwała Tobie Gospodzinie
Johannes Ciconia (1370–1412) Cacando un giorno (instr.), Mancini Codex (14th/15th c.)
Heinrich Finck (1444/45–1527) Christ ist erstanden
Anonymous (15th c.) Bądź wiesioła Panno Czysta
Piotr of Grudziądz (c. 1392 – c. 1480) Plaude, Euge Theotokos
Obadiah the Proselyte (12th c.) Mi al har hörev
Anonymous Saltoarello, III Manuscript Add. 29987 (c. 1390)
Anonymous Breve regnum, MS Kras 52
Anonymous Die Katzenpfote, Glogauer Liederbuch (c. 1480)
Anonymous Hungarian Dance, trad.
Piotr of Grudziądz Predulcis eurus
Anonymous Omnia beneficia (12th/X13th c.), manuscript from the Convent of Poor St Clares in Stary Sącz
18 August 2026, Tuesday, 7:30pm
Saski Hotel
Sei Terre Vocal Ensemble:
Katarzyna Guran – soprano
Joanna Stawarska – soprano, artistic direction
Anna Zawisza – soprano
Joanna Święszek-Przeliorz – mezzo-soprano
Aleksandra Kalicka – alto
Aleksandra Korzonek – alto
Monika Płachta – piano
***
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki Three Lullabies, Op. 39
Mikołaj Blajda – Impression
Stanisław Moniuszko Songs from the collection Zgodnym chórem (arr. R.I. Drozd)
Katarzyna Sałapa
– Piano Miniature
– Songs to the words by Felicja Kruszewska
19 August 2026, Wednesday, 7:30pm
Wawel Cathedral
Royal Rorantists
Piotr Piwko – conductor
***
Pedro de Escobar Requiem
Krzysztof Borek Missa „Te Deum laudamus”
20 August 2026, Tuesday, 7:30pm
Church of the Holiest Heart of Jesus
Sofia Soloviy – soprano
Jarema Pavliv – violin
L’viv Virtuosos
Serhij Burko – conductor, artistic direction
***
Mykoła Kołessa In the Mountains
Igor Sonevytsky
–Pid Twoju Mylist Prybihaju Bogorodycia Diwo
–Hallelujah
Hanna Gavrylets Chorale
Jakiw Stepowyj Prelude Taras Shevchenk in Memoriam
Mykoła Łysenko Wiśniowy sad wokół domu, words by T. Szewczenki
Stanisław Moniuszko Znasz-li ten kraj, words by Adam Mickiewicz
Witold Lutosławski Five Folk Melodies
Mykoła Łysenko Dumka-Szumka
Levko Kołodub Suite of Ukrainian Folk Melodies
Myroslav Skoryk
–Spanish Dance
–Melody
–Dyptych
21 August 2026, Friday, 7:30pm
Collegium Novum
Sofia Solovyi – soprano
Tetiana Hryskowa – piano
***
Alfredo Catalani – aria of Wally Ebben? Ne andro lontana from the opera La Wally
Charles Gounod – aria of Sapho Ô ma lyre e immortelle from the opera Sapho
Jules Massenet – aria of Salomé Il est doux from the opera Hérodiade
Giacomo Puccini – Musetta’s waltz from the opera La Boheme
Stanisław Moniuszko – aria of Halka Ha! Dzieciątko nam umiera... from the opera Halka
Mykhailo Verykivsky – aria of Maiden Oj czy dawno te bulo… from the opera Viy
Antonín Dvořák – aria of Rusalka O marno, o marno to je from the opera Rusalka
Wasyl Barwinskyj
–W lesie
–Och, smutna, smutna ciemna noc
–Sonet
Stanisław Liudkiewycz Kartka z albumu
Mieczysław Karłowicz
–Czasem, gdy długo, words by K. Tetmajer
–Pamiętam ciche, jasne, złote dnie, words by K. Tetmajer
–Smutną jest dusza moja, words by K. Tetmajer
–Zaczarowana królewna, words by A. Asnyk
–Najpiękniejsze piosnki, words by A. Asnyk
–Mów do mnie jeszcze, words by K. Tetmajer
22 August 2026, Saturday, 7:30pm
St Mary’s Basilica
Andrzej Białko – organ
***
Olivier Messiaen – from the cycle La Nativité du Seigneur:
I. La Vierge et l’Enfant
IX. Dieu parmi nous
Marcel Dupré – from the cycle Le chemin de la Croix, Op. 29:
I. Jésus est condamné à mort
V. Simon le Cyrénéen aide Jésus à porter sa Croix
XI. Jésus est attaché sur la Croix
XIV. Jésus est mis dans le sépulcre
Charles-Marie Widor Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73, Mvt. I, III
Olivier Messiaen Apparition de l’Église éternelle
23 August 2026, Sunday, 6pm
Kraków Philharmonic, Golden Hall
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch – violin
Andrzej Zawisza – harpsichord
***
Johann Sebastian Bach:
Sonata for harpsichord and violin in G major BWV 1019
Jesu, meine Zuversicht BWV 728
Chorale from Clavier-Buchlein vor Anna Magdalena Bach in Anno 1722
Sonata for harpsichord and violin in C minor BWV 1017
Sonata for harpsichord and violin in B minor BWV 1014
Chromatique Fantasia and Fugue in D minor BWV 903
Sonata for harpsichord and violin in E major BWV 1016
24 August 2026, Monday, 7:30pm
Church of Sts Peter and Paul
NOSPR String Quartet:
Sulamita Ślubowska – I violin
Aleksander Daszkiewicz – II violin
Dawid Jadamus – viola
Łukasz Frant – cello
***
Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 No. 2
Maurice Ravel String Quartet in F major M. 35
25 August 2026, Tuesday, 7:30pm
Church of St Catherine of Alexandria
Joanna Stawarska – I soprano
Agnieszka Kałużna – II soprano
Joel Frederiksen – bassso profondo
Collegium Zieleński
Maciej Tworek – conductor
***
Mikołaj Zieleński:
–Semel Iuravi
–Vox In Rama
–In Splendoribus Sanctorum
–O Gloriosa Domina
–In Monte Oliveti
–Qui Manducat Meam Carnem
–Feci Iudicium (Trio)
–Haec Dies
–Introibo Ad Altare Dei
–Viderunt Omnes Fines Terre
–Illumina Faciem Tuam
Johann Sebastian Bach – Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227
26 August 2026, Wednesday, 8pm
Piarist Church
Musica Con Grazia:
Zuzanna Ronck – conductor
Daria Durynia – soprano
Christine Schäffer – soprano
Evgenia Shugai – alto
Mario Lesiak – tenor
Holger Linn – bass
Manako Ito, Olesia Romaniv – violin
Miki Takasu Wathusiri – viola
Ploy Karawapong – violone
Klaus Hubmann – Baroque bassoon
Lukas Franck – portative organ
***
P. Damasus a S. Hieronymo/Antonín Brossmann (Paweł Podejko, from the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Góra):
–Vesper
–Dixit Dominus
–Laudate pueri
–Gloria Patri
–Laetatus sum
–Nisi Dominus
–Lauda Jerusalem
–Magnificat
P. Silverius Victor a S. Zacharia/Jan Ignác Kolenec – Sub Tuum Praesidium
P. Petrus a S. Martino/Petrus Peťko – Alma Redemptoris Mater
P. Simon a S. Bartholomeo/Václav Kalous:
–Salve Regina
–Litaniae Lauretanae
P. Petrus a S. Martino/Petrus Peťko – Omni Die Dic Mariae
P. Damasus a S. Hieronymo/Antonín Brossmann:
–Coeli Cives Convolate
–Litaniae Lauretana
27 August 2026, Tuesday, 8pm
Carmelite Basilica
Songs of the Liturgy Year
Triplum:
Kacper Szczurek – countertenor
Piotr Piwko – tenor
Maciej Michalik – baritone
Mariusz Zarzycki – bass
Maria Klich – hurdy-gurdy
***
ADVENT
Anonymous Gwiazdo morza głębokiego
Gregorian chant Rorate Coeli
Anonymous Zdrowaś bądź Maria
Anonymous (arr. Adam Freytag) Ave Hierarhia
CHRISTMAS
Anonymous Anjeli w niebie śpiewają
Gregorian chant Dominus dixit at me
Bartłomiej Pękiel (1601–1670) Resonet In Laudibus
Wacław of Szamotuły Pieśń o Narodzeniu Pańskim
LENT
Anonymous Gorzkie żale – Zachęta
Gregorian chant In vocabit me
Anonymous Pieśń o Bożym umęczeniu barzo nabożna
Władysław z Gielniowa Jezusa Judasz przedał za pieniądze nędzne albo Żołtarz Jezusów
EASTER
Anonymous Krystus z martwych wstałje
Gregorian chant Regina Caeli Letare. Alleluia
Wacław of Szamotuły Alleluja, chwalcie Pana
Jakub Lubelczyk Pieśń o Zmartwychwstaniu Pańskim
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR (ASCENSION)
Mikołaj Gomółka Będę Cię wielbił mój Panie
Gregorian chant Alleluia. Ascendit Deus
Mikołaj Gomółka Kleszczmy rękoma
Anonymous Chrystusowo wstąpienie
MARIAN WORKS
Anonymous Najświętsza Panienka po świecie chodziła
Gregorian chant Ave Maria
Sebastian of Felsztyn Alleluja. Ave Maria
Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki Ave Maria
28 August 2026, Friday, 7:30pm
Church of the Norbertine Sisters
Earthly Paradise – Consort’s Golden Age (England until 1650)
Kraków Viola Consort:
Mateusz Kowalski – artistic direction, soprano, tenor and bass viola da gamba
Agata Sanchez Martos – soprano and bass viola da gamba
Sylwia Heinrich – tenor and bass viola da gamba
Karina Krychun – bass viola na gamba
Martyna Bachowska – bass viola da gamba
Rafał Gorczyński – bass viola da gamba
***
Alfonso Ferrabosco II In Nomine through all parts
Orlando Gibbons Go from my window
Anthony Holborn Pavans, galliards, almains, and other short æirs both grave, and light, in five parts, for viols, violins, or other musical wind instruments:
–The Night Watch
–Muy Linda
John Dowland Lachrimae, or Seven Tears:
–Lachrymae Antiquae Novae
–Mistress Nicols Almand
–The King of Denmark's Galliard
Tobias Hume Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke
–A Spanish humor
–The Pashion of Musicke
Giovanni Coperario vel John Cooper Fantasia a 4 C in major
William Lawes Set a 6 in F
John Hingeston Fantasia – Almain
Henry Purcell
–Fantasia a 4 (31. August 1680)
–Fantasia a 5 Upon one note
–In Nomine a 6
29 August 2026, Saturday, 7:30pm
Evangelical Church of St Martin
Bach – Handel. A Meeting, That Never Happened
Elżbieta Stefańska – harpsichord
Mariko Shioya – harpsichord
Anna Hara-Pióro – Baroque violin
Agata Sanchez-Martos – viola da gamba
***
George Frideric Handel
–Suita for 2 harpsichords HWV 446
–Passacaglia in G minor
Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata in G major for violę da gamba and harpsichord BWV 1027
Georg Friedrich Händel Sonata No. 2 in G minor na violin and basso continuo
Johann Sebastian Bach
–Cappriccio sopra la lontananza del suo fratello dilettissimo BWV 992 for harpsichord solo
–Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 BWV 1051 (transcription fpr 2 harpsichords by Kenneth Gilbert)
30 August 2026, Sunday, 6pm
Kraków Philharmonic
Lidia Grychtołówna – piano
Krzysztof Jakowicz – violin
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
Maciej Tworek – conductor
***
Maciej Radziwiłł Divertimento in D major for chamber orchestra
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto in D major K. 211
Karol Kurpiński Overture Szarlatan, czyli wskrzeszanie umarłych
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto in A major K. 488
31 August 2026, Monday, 8pm
Piarist Church
Tromba gloriosa
Starck Compagnay:
Tomasz Ślusarczyk – Baroque trumpet, kier. muzyczne
Artur Kovalchuk – Baroque trumpet
Julian Popitsanu – Baroque trumpet
Karol Gańczarczyk – alto trombone
Patryk Broda – tenor trombone
Andrzej Tkaczyk – bass trombone
Bartosz Sałdan – timpani
Artur Szczerbinin – organ
***
Claudio Monteverdi Toccata L’Orfeo
Cesare Bendinelli Sonata 336, Tutta L’Arte Della Trombetta
Arnold Matthias Brunckchorst Praeludium in e
Anonymous, Hiszpania Canciones de Clarines, Entrada de Clarines, Cancion de Clarin con Eco Otra Cancion, Cancion de Clarin muy aprisa el Compas
Johann Sebastian Bach Passacaglia in C minor BWV 582
Anonymous (Węgry XVII w.) Parthia à 6 in C major
Johann Kaspar Kerll Canzona No. 1 in d
Dieterich Buxtehude Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam BuxWV 180
Pavel Josef Vejvanovsky Sonata Vespertina à 8
Johann Sebastian Bach Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733
Pavel Josef Vejvanovský Serenada XXVII
