Concert of the Polish National Youth Choir - "Songs of Love and Longing"

A concert by the Polish National Youth Choir dedicated to the vocal music of Johannes Brahms. The ensemble operates under the artistic direction of Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny and brings together young singers from across Poland. The August concert will be conducted as a guest by Jan Hoffmann.

The programme features Sieben Lieder op. 62 and Drei Gesänge op. 42 - works that showcase the lyrical, contemplative character of Brahms's output, rooted in the tradition of Romantic German song. The centrepiece of the evening will be Liebeslieder-Walzer op. 52 - a cycle of miniatures for four-part vocal quartet and piano four-hands, in which the rhythm of the Viennese waltz intertwines with poetic reflection on love. The concert will conclude with Zigeunerlieder op. 103, songs inspired by Hungarian and Romani music, full of vibrant rhythm and contrasting expression.

Brahms's vocal works differ markedly from his symphonies and concertos - they are characterised by greater intimacy and an extraordinary sensitivity to word, colour and form.