October is a month rich in events related to the Holy Father John Paul II. On October 16, we celebrate the anniversary of his election as the successor of St. Peter, then we celebrate the Papal Day on the Sunday preceding the date of his election as Pope, and then, October 22 is the day of liturgical remembrance of St. John Paul II. There is another anniversary – on October 16, 1981, by a special papal decree, the John Paul II Foundation was established. This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of its existence and activity. In connection with these anniversaries, on Sunday, October 24th the New York Chapter of the John Paul II Foundation organized a vocal and musical concert for St. John Paul II in the auditorium of the Polish-Slavic Center in Greenpoint – Brooklyn. It presented works of classical music, religious, Marian songs and those related to the person of Saint John Paul II, as well as patriotic songs. The first part of the concert began with pieces of classical music of a religious nature. Agnes Kalinowski-Fanis and Damian Fanis professionally, with virtuosity, sang together the songs of Franz Schubert “Ave Maria” and “Panis Angelicus” by Cesare Frank and then the religious song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by by Miller and Jill Jackson. With beautiful singing, they won the hearts of the audience. The artists are professional opera singers. Agnes sings a romantic soprano and participates in classical music concerts. She performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall and she sings in the UN choir. She is the music director of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. In 2013 and 2014 she performed at our concerts when she was still a student of a music school. Her husband Damian Fanis is a tenor of Uruguayan origin. He studied singing at the National School of Lyrical Art in Montevideo. He performed at the National Opera of Uruguay as a choir soloist. His passion is tango, which he sings at concerts in the USA. Younger performers sang well-known Marian songs. Michael Jamrożek performed with a voice full of natural grace the song “Among so many ways lead my heart”. Jacinta Host presented the song “I am all your Mary”. Her parents accompanied her on guitars. The melodic, lyrical song “Lady of the Goodnight time” (“Panience na dobranoc’’) was sung by Natalia Prajzner. Nicole Ciuba pianist, guitarist, composer performed two pieces, her own composition “Mother’s Love” and the song “O Black Lady in the Czestochowa’s icon” (“O Czarna Pani w Częstochowskiej Ikonie”). Piotr Rubik’s composition to the words of Jacek Cygan “Ave Maria Jasnogórska” with a strong voice was sung by Isabella Świerzawska. The young artists also reached for works that permanently merged with the pontificate of the Polish Pope and his pilgrimages to his homeland. Amelia Jucha and Natalia Prajzner sang the well-known song “My City Wadowice”. Maya Iwiński performed the popular song “No one will replace you”. Natalia Sokolnicki recalled the song written for the 80th birthday of John Paul II “From the depths of hearts”. The oasis song “Barka” was also performed by Agnes Kalinowski-Fanis, Damian Fanis together with students, siblings-Gabriela, Tomasz, Maksymilian Bednarz. The popular and well-known song “Abba Father” was performed by Isabella Świerzawa, Natalia Sokolnicki, Michael Jamrożek and Mateusz Kotowski. Gabriel’s siblings, Tomasz, Maksymilian Bednarz sang a song dedicated to John Paul II, written on the occasion of WYD in Krakow in 2016, entitled “Strength is in unity”. This part of the concert ended on a highlander note. Amelia Jucha in a highlander costume charmed the audience with a well-known folk song “Highlander, do you not feel sorry …””.
During the break of the concert, the public had the opportunity to see an exhibition of artistic works and read poetic works of Polish diaspora youth sent to the competition announced in 2020 by the New York Chapter on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II.
In the second part of the concert, the audience heard Fryderyk Chopin’s piano compositions. Marcin Żarkowski performed “Polonaise in E minor Op.26 no.2″”, his brother Antoni Żarkowski played “Cis-mol Waltz Op.64 no.2″”, Angelina Podkalicki presented Nocturne in E flat major Op.9 no.2”, Julia Greer presented “Waltz in B flat minor Op.69 no.2”. A solemn mood was introduced by the patriotic song “Rota” performed by Natalia Sokolnicki. The lyrics of the song were written by Maria Konopnicka, the music was composed by Feliks Nowowiejski. This song was a kind of anthem during the partitions of Poland. Equally subsist was the song “Song of the Bar Confederates”, words by Juliusz Słowacki from the drama “Father Marek”. We heard it in an expressive performance by Isabella Świerzawa and Mateusz Kotowski. Julia Bielski performed two songs full of seriousness “Homeland has”, which gained popularity during the years of martial law, and the well-known song of Jan Pietrzak “Such cuntry”. The contemporary patriotic song “Believe Poland” was sung by Michael Jamrożek. Marcelina Halas performed Andrzej Rosiewicz’s popular song “You ask me”. The concert ended with a melodic song “Polish Flowers”, which was gracefully performed by Natalia Prajzner.
The performance of the Polish artists was warmly received by the audience, which did not disappoint. The hall was filled to the last place. All performers presented a high musical and vocal level. They prepared very solidly for the concert and chose a variety of songs that fully satisfied the listeners. The concert turned out to be a great success, as evidenced by great applause for the performers, spontaneous inclusion of the audience in join singing. There were multiple requests to organize such musical meetings for St. John Paul II more often. Teresa Rysztof was the artistic director of the concert which was led by Zofia Twarowska. Justyna Świerzawska was the sound operator. To all artists, we wish success in their further artistic careers.
Zofia Twarowska
