Nova Music and Architecture Festival 2024 – Film & Tango – Iwo & Karolina

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION

As part of the 28th International Nova Music and Architecture Festival, the Film and Tango concert offers a unique auditory experience at the Burghers’ Hall of the Old Town Hall. This historic venue, where the Toruń Symphony Orchestra has often performed, beautifully marries the splendour of music with architectural elegance.

The renowned duo Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki will headline the evening. Their extraordinary fusion of violin and accordion, coupled with their exceptional musical prowess, has captivated audiences and critics worldwide. Their talent has earned them prestigious nominations, including the Passport of Polityka in 2023 and the Coryphaeus of Polish Music (Iwo Jedynecki). Esteemed figures in the music world, such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Maxim Vengerov, hold the duo in high regard. Their popularity transcends Poland, with performances in 25 countries across four continents. In autumn 2023, they enchanted audiences in Mexico, Cuba, and once again at Carnegie Hall, this time with the legendary Kronos Quartet.

The concert repertoire is designed to delight both classical music aficionados and cinema enthusiasts. The musicians will perform pieces famously used as soundtracks for beloved films. With a focus on the iconic tangos, this concert promises to appeal to all, including those with a penchant for more spirited sounds.

Carlos Gardel’s Tango Por Una Cabeza is perhaps best known from the film Scent of a Woman. The famous dance scene between a young woman and a retired colonel moved countless viewers, largely due to the exquisite music. The tune starts gently, then swiftly transitions into passionate strains that irresistibly invite one to dance. The repertoire also includes a piece called The Hollywood Fantasy, composed by Wojciech Kostrzewa specifically for Karolina Mikołajczyk and Iwo Jedynecki. This three-part work masterfully weaves together soundtracks from the most iconic films. A discerning ear will recognize melodies from Pinocchio, Singing in the Rain, The Pink Panther, The Godfather, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. These songs intertwine seamlessly, creating a cohesive musical narrative that encapsulates the history of modern cinema.

Astor Piazzolla, the king of “nuevo tango”, will also be featured. His compositions, crafted not for dancing but for listening, are masterpieces of the genre. It’s no surprise that his works have been eagerly sought by directors for their film soundtracks. The duo will perform Suite Punta del Este: Introducción, famously used in the film 12 Monkeys, and Oblivion, which served as the soundtrack for the film Henry IV. The renowned Libertango will undoubtedly make an appearance, its evocative tones having created the unforgettable atmosphere in the film Frantic alongside Grace Jones’ lyrical and haunting interpretation of I’ve Seen That Face Before.