The Polish Violin Duo

Polish Music on Stage / US Edition

Music for Two Violins – From the Era of Virtuosos to Modern Times

Polish Music on Stage is realized by the National Institute of Music and Dance and co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Inspiring Culture programme

Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, violins

The Polish Violin Duo has been one of the most interesting debuts on the Polish classical music scene in the last few years. The ensemble consists of two charismatic musicians – Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, whose energy in concert forms a perfect combination with their musical sensitivity. Each of their concert appearances turns into a one-of-a-kind artistic spectacle, in which the audiences have a chance to get to know and acquire a taste for chamber music dedicated to a pair of violins, a repertoire that is rarely performed in today’s philharmonic and concert halls. 

The Polish Violin Duo’s programmes strongly feature works written by Polish composers in addition to the standard international repertoire. During their tour of the United States, they will present a selection of compositions for two violins from the nineteenth century as well as those written much more recently. The audiences are bound to be enraptured by the poignant and virtuosic Etudes-Caprices op. 18 for two violins by Henryk Wieniawski (1835-80), an acclaimed violinist and composer; the graceful, beguiling and lively Suite for two violins by Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-69) – the most famous Polish female composer; the varied yet traditionally Polish Fantazja Polska (Polish Fantasia) for two violins by Romuald Twardowski (*1930) – the doyen of the contemporary classical music in Poland; the brilliant, spectacular and striking Sonata for two violins by Mieczysław Wajnberg (1919-96), a Polish composer of Jewish descent, whose works have been recently gaining wide international acclaim; and the starkly contrasted, mysterious and moving Two Contrasts for a duo by an up-and-coming young composer, who has already won a number of awards, Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk (*1987).