Symphony Concert 19.12.2026 at 18:00

Concert Hall / subscription Symphonic Saturdays 4, Golden Saturdays (formerly D2, Z2)

Performers:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
National Philharmonic Choir
Artos Children's Choir named after Władysław Skoraczewski at the Grand Theatre - National Opera
Paul Goodwin - conductor
Ian Bostridge - tenor
Bartosz Michałowski - National Philharmonic Choir preparation
Danuta Chmurska - Artos Choir preparation

Programme:
Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major D 485 [27']
... intermission [20']
Benjamin Britten - Cantata Saint Nicolas, Op. 42 [51']

Paul Goodwin specializes in historically informed interpretations - performances as close as possible to the musical practice of the era in which a work was composed. At this concert, he will conduct two works separated by more than a century: Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 5 (1816) and Benjamin Britten's Cantata Saint Nicolas Op. 42 (1948).

Among Schubert's six early symphonies, the Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major comes closest to the Mozartian ideal. Written by the nineteen-year-old composer, it stands out for its melodic simplicity and transparent form, and its modest instrumentation - without clarinets, trumpets, and timpani - was likely intended for performances by semi-amateur ensembles.

Britten's nine-part cantata tells the story of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and Lycia, who helped the poor and needy - a figure who eventually became the prototype of Saint Nicholas. The work will be performed by the National Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in an expanded ensemble (including organ, piano, and percussion) and the Artos Children's Choir. The tenor part will be sung by Ian Bostridge.

Grzegorz Zieziula