Cześć from Poland! Guest conductor and La Maestra competition winner Anna Sułkowska-Migoń leads the MSO through a series of musical postcards from her home country, beginning with a frenetic overture by Grażyna Bacewicz. Gold medalist of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Aristo Sham, a musician with “a nobility rarely heard from any pianist” (Dallas Morning News), performs the first piano concerto by Poland’s pride, Chopin; its music is rife with reverie and bounce. Wojciech Kilar’s Orawa takes its name from a local highland region and depicts the forces of nature; Kilar has called Orawa “the only piece in which I wouldn’t change a single note.” Finally, Mieczysław Karłowicz’s symphonic poem Eternal Songs is an allegory for being human, moving through love, longing, death, and “The Song of Universal Existence.”

How you'll feel: as though you’ve been treated to a tasting menu of Polish music across generations

What to listen for:

Chopin’s first piano concerto is rife with national character. Premiered just weeks before he left his native Poland for the last time, Chopin's first piano concerto is rife with national character and contains some of the virtuoso composer's most brilliant and expressive writing for the instrument.
Wojciech Kilar wrote a series of pieces dedicated to the people of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland; his fourth and final is Orawa, a symphonic poem rich with local flavor.
Another symphonic poem, Karłowicz’s Eternal Songs is a philosophy in three parts — expect to hear longing, frustration, searching, and death, but not without sublime beauty.

The MSO Steinway piano was made possible through a generous gift from Michael & Jeanne Schmitz

ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE

Friday, May 21

informative look at the works you'll experience live at the performance.

PRELUDE SHUTTLE BUS

Make your day even more enjoyable by adding transportation to make your trip downtown easy and carefree. Sign up for individual dates or the entire 6-concert series, and we’ll provide round-trip coach bus service from Mayfair Mall. Here are the details:

8:45 a.m. — Arrive at the southeast lot at Mayfair Mall, east of the former Boston Store to board the coach bus.
9:00 a.m. — Prelude Shuttle departs from Mayfair arriving at the Bradley Symphony Center around 9:30 a.m.
Depart immediately following the concert. Advance notice is not required for the return trip.

Pre-Concert Shuttle Transportation is available for a nominal fee of $25 per concert or $160 for the Prelude Series. To learn more or sign up for the shuttle contact Luther Gray by email or at 414.226.7840.

Meet the Artist Luncheon

Join us post-concert for lunch with conductors and MSO musicians in the Pavilion at the Bradley Symphony Center, following all Friday Prelude Series performances. The popular luncheons include an engaging Q & A session with artists, paired with delicious cuisine.

Luncheon price is $37.00 and does not include concert tickets. To learn more or sign up for the luncheon contact Luther Gray by email or at 414.226.7840.

Food & Beverage Service

Beginning 90 minutes before each performance, enjoy curated bites and cocktails by Indulge Catering Company - A Bianchini Experience at numerous locations throughout the Bradley Symphony Center.

Saturday, May 22

MEET THE MUSIC

Please join us at the Bradley Symphony Center one hour before the concert for a free Meet the Music pre-concert talk. Enjoy an engaging, informative look at the works you'll experience live at the performance.

Food & Beverage Service featuring Staccato Bites

Don't miss a beat! Beginning 90 minutes before each performance enjoy tasty soups, sandwiches, quick bites, and cocktails ahead of the concert with Staccato Bites. Inspired by the brisk, articulate sound of a staccato note, Staccato Bites provides a convenient and delicious offering prior to all MSO performances.

Postcards from Poland

Start Time

conductor

piano

Bacewicz

Chopin

Kilar

Karłowicz

CONCERT DETAILS