Krakow FMF 2025 – Concert program & first guests

https://fmf.fm/programme/166

VENUE: Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic Hall in Krakow

The Saragossa Manuscript by Wojciech Jerzy Has is a labyrinth of stories, a surrealistic piece of art that balances between dream and reality. It is also one of the few works for which Krzysztof Penderecki composed a full soundtrack. His music, combining experimental sounds, references to the Baroque and Classicism and distinctive guitar parts, is as multidimensional as the film itself. The Maestro’s compositions will be performed by Paweł Romańczuk, Małe Instrumenty band and a string orchestra.

The year 2025 has been declared by the Senate of Poland as the year of Wojciech Jerzy Has in connection with his 100th birth anniversary. The director’s most influential piece of work – The Saragossa Manuscript – made a permanent mark in the history of world cinema. Its premiere took place 60 years ago: in 1965. And a key element of this work is undoubtedly the soundtrack composed by Krzysztof Penderecki – one of the most outstanding Polish composers.

It was one of Penderecki’s few film compositions, created during a period of his intensive sonoristic experiments and co-operation with the Polish Radio Experimental Studio. In the music to The Saragossa Manuscript, one can hear both innovative sounds and inspirations from the Baroque and Classicism, as well as distinctive guitar parts, which play an important role in the entire composition.

During the concert, the soundtrack will be performed live, accompanying the screening of the film. This is a unique opportunity to experience Has’ work in a new and intense form, in which music and image co-create a unique cinematic experience.

The event is recommended for people over 16 years of age.

Performed by: Małe Instrumenty

Co-organiser: National Cultural Centre.

Concert partners: the 65th Krakow Film Festival and the Documentary and Feature Film Studios (WFDiF).

Cultural event of the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU.

https://fmf.fm/programme/167

https://fmf.fm/programme/cinema-chorale-choral-extravaganza-2

VENUE: Aula bł. Jakuba / ul. Franciszkańska 4, 30-001 Kraków

This evening, young artists from the USA will take us on a fascinating journey through classic film music! We will hear unforgettable musical hits as well as magical themes by Harold Arlen, John Williams, Ennio Morricone or A.R. Rahman. Anyone who loves cinema will find something for themselves in this programme.

This year’s concert of the Cinema Chorale series is the result of the long-term collaboration between Kraków and our partner city Rochester, NY. We are proud to present the Nazareth University Treble Choir, made up of students specialising in the performance of music for soprano and alto voices. This is a unique opportunity to meet these artists in Kraków – and in the unusual aura of the Franciscan Cloister.

Programme:

• Another Day of Sun – La La Land (2016) – Justin Hurwitz, Pasek and Paul
• Over the Rainbow – The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg
• Wicked (medley) – Wicked (2003) – Stephen Schwartz
• Love Theme – Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Andrea and Ennio Morricone
• Nella Fantasia (In My Fantasy) – Mission (1986) – Ennio Morricone, Chiara Ferrau
• Pure Imagination – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) – Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley
• Adiemus – Boychoir (2014) – Karl Jenkins
• Por una cabeza – Scent of a Woman (1992) – Carlos Gardel (arr. John Williams)
• A Million Dreams – The Greatest Showman (2017) – Pasek and Paul
• Never Enough – The Greatest Showman (2017) – Pasek and Paul
• Libertango – Frantic (1988) – Astor Piazzolla
• The Seal Lullaby – Eric Whitacre, Rudyard Kipling
• The Pink Panther (1963) – Henry Mancini
• Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – A.R. Rahman, Gulzar, Tanvi Shah

Performed by:

• Sarah Rhee-Tirré – piano
• Anne Kunkle – saxophone
• Weronika Sura – accordion
• Joanna Paluch-Perkiewicz – cello
• Colin Mann – conductor
• Zbigniew Granat – host

Nazareth University Treble Choir 2025: 

• Sarah Baker
• Crystalina Baumer
• Grace Colangelo
• Ciara Cornelius
• Alexandria Duga
• Emily Garcia
• Phoebe Hall
• Greta Hansen-Schwoebel
• Alexandra Jenkins
• McKayla Jenkins
• Julia LaBianca
• Laura Lepkowski
• Margaret MacArthur
• Alexandra Manley
• Izze Natoli
• Marley Ohl
• Gabriella Primrose
• Maeve Rosati
• Savannah Staples
• Olivia Stone
• CJ Stremick

https://fmf.fm/programme/168

VENUE: Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic Hall in Krakow

The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain – all these films leave an unforgettable impression. Their extraordinary soundscapes have been created by one composer, rightly regarded as a legend of French film music. We are proud that Oscar-winning filmmaker Gabriel Yared has accepted our invitation and will come to Kraków!

FMF fans have been waiting for this concert for many years. At last, one of the most important contemporary film composers – Gabriel Yared – will visit us.

His greatest international success is the soundtrack to The English Patient (1996), a melodrama starring Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe and Kristin Scott Thomas. The compositions for this film have won Golden Globe, BAFTA and Grammy awards, as well as an Oscar. It is worth mentioning, however, that the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honoured Yared with nominations on two more occasions – for the soundtracks to The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Cold Mountain (2003).

Gabriel Yared is certainly one of the most versatile film composers of our time. It is not difficult to understand why so many creators of ambitious Hollywood productions wanted to work with him. Whether he draws on classical music, jazz or world music, Yared sets an original tone for each track, which is perfectly suited to the film’s story.

The programme for the concert at the Kraków Philharmonic will include Yared’s most important works from films such as The English Patient, Betty Blue, Camille Claudel, City of Angels, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain. The composer himself will grace the evening with a solo piano performance. We have no doubt that this concert will remain in the audience’s memory for a long time.

Programme:

• Betty Blue
• The Lover
• The Moon in the Gutter
• The English Patient
• Camille Claudel
• Message in a Bottle
• Wings of Courage
• Possession
• Tatie Danielle
• The Tourist
• Cold Mountain
• The Talented Mr. Ripley
• The Prophet
• It’s Only the End of the World
• Amelia
• City of Angels
• Yort

Performed by:

• Gabriel Yared – piano
• Kraków Philharmonic Choir
• Sinfonietta Cracovia
• Dirk Brosse – conductor

https://fmf.fm/programme/165

VENUE: TAURON Arena Kraków

Watch the award-winning film La La Land on the big screen at TAURON Arena Kraków! The unforgettable roles of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone will be given a unique setting with live music performed in sync with the film by the Beethoven Academy Orchestra and the Kraków Philharmonic Choir. It is a truly unique occasion to listen to the brilliant musicians conducted by the Academy Award®-winning composer Justin Hurwitz himself. Fancy spending a night in the city of stars?

Fascinating story

Lionsgate’s six-time Academy Award®-winning film, written and directed by Damien Chazelle, tells the story of two young people who dream of a Hollywood-style career. Mia (Emma Stone) works in a café on a daily basis and tries to land her first film role after hours. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a pianist and makes a living by playing standards, but at the same time he is creating original compositions and planning to open his own jazz club. When the two begin to date, a unique bond forms between them. Will they make all their dreams come true?

Soundtrack of dreams

Immediately after its premiere in 2016, La La Land gained a reputation as one of the best musicals of all time. The original soundtrack was awarded an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe®. And of course, the unforgettable duet of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in City of Stars received the Academy Award® for Best Original Song. The composer of the score, Justin Hurwitz, is widely regarded as one of the best in Hollywood – thanks to his signature style: memorable melodies and captivating arrangements that leave the audience breathless.

Unique setting

During the La La Land in Concert event at TAURON Arena Kraków, three screens will be active along with carefully selected lights. We entrusted the performance of the soundtrack to some of the best musical ensembles in Poland: the Beethoven Academy Orchestra and the Kraków Philharmonic Choir. The brilliant artists will be conducted by Justin Hurwitz himself (his first performance in such a role in Poland!). The composer also produces La La Land in Concert through his company Hurwitz Concerts and will oversee the technical aspects of the concert.

Wide accessibility

The organisers have ensured that the event is accessible to all audiences. The film will be screened with an audio description for the blind and the visually impaired. The original audio description prepared by the Culture Without Barriers Foundation will be available via AudioMovie, a free app for mobile devices. Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpreting for the deaf will also be provided, along with an induction loop for the hearing impaired – a system that supports hearing aids and cochlear implants. Moreover, TAURON Arena Kraków is equipped with technical solutions that make it easier for people using wheelchairs to get around.

La La Land and all related characters and elements ®, ™ & © 2025 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. and related companies. All Rights Reserved.

The public task is financed by the City of Kraków.

https://fmf.fm/programme/169

VENUE: ICE Kraków Congress Centre

Saturday’s FMF gala is a great opportunity to hear the outstanding soundtracks of recent years. Its star will be two-time Oscar winner and composer of music for the phenomenal game and TV series The Last of Us – Gustavo Santaolalla. That evening, the winners of the Polish Soundtrack of the Year 2024 and the FMF Young Talent Award 2025 will also be announced. You cannot miss it, can you?

As every year, the international gala holds an important place in the FMF calendar. The diverse programme will include some of the most interesting compositions that have recently been written for films, TV series and games. The highest quality of performance is guaranteed by the musicians of the Kraków Philharmonic and the Polish Radio Choir, who will be conducted by Diego Navarro, a conductor well known to festival fans.

In the first part of the concert, we will meet distinguished personalities of Polish film music: Bartosz Chajdecki and Paweł Lucewicz. Both composers will present works arranged especially for the FMF. A treat for video game fans will be Brunon Lubas’ synth composition for the adventure game The Invincible, based on Stanislaw Lem’s cult novel. The audience will also hear the poignant music of Frederikke Hoffmeier from the Danish-Polish-Swedish drama film The Girl with the Needle.

The second part of the concert will be devoted entirely to Gustavo Santaolalla, one of the most important figures in contemporary Latin American music. In the late 1960s, the artist was a pioneer of Argentine rock, and at the turn of the 21st century he gained widespread recognition for his film music. He became famous for his collaborations with such esteemed directors as Ang Lee and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Gustavo Santaolalla’s soundtracks are characterised by a unique minimalist style combining elements of folk, Latin and alternative music. His music is known for its emotional charge and subtlety, which perfectly complement film images. The composer himself will be on stage, performing solo parts in songs from the game and TV series The Last of Us, as well as a song from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack to Brokeback Mountain.

A solemn moment of the concert will be the granting of prestigious awards: Polish Soundtrack of the Year 2024 and FMF Young Talent Award 2025.

The event is recommended for people over 16 years of age.

Programme:

• Paweł Lucewicz – winner of the FMF Polish Soundtrack of the Year 2023 award – Ludzie i bogowie
• Bartosz Chajdecki – winner of the FMF Polish Soundtrack of the Year 2018 award – Jesień
• Brunon Lubas – winner of the Digital Dragons Best Polish Game Audio 2023 award – The Invincible
• Frederikke Hoffmeier – The Girl with the Needle
• The winning composition in the FMF Young Talent Award 2025 to an excerpt from the documentary I Am: Celine Dion.
• ***
• Gustavo Santaolalla – The Last of Us, The Book of Life, Brokeback Mountain, The Motorcycle Diaries

Performed by:

• Gustavo Santaolalla – stringed instruments, vocals
• Brunon Lubas – electric guitar, vocals
• Liliana Pociecha – vocals
• Polish Radio Choir
• Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
• Diego Navarro – conductor

https://fmf.fm/programme/170

https://fmf.fm/programme/172

VENUE: Fabryczna Conference Centre

On Children’s Day, we take you on a journey through the most beautiful music from Polish bedtime stories. Reksio, Bolek i Lolek, Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki – these are just a few of the titles that will enchant the audience at the concert hall at 13 Fabryczna Street. This is an ideal opportunity to show the best Polish animations to children!

This year, the FMF4Kids series will feature iconic cartoon characters, including Reksio and Bolek i Lolek. In a multimedia concert lasting more than an hour, we will hear live music that has accompanied small and big spectators for decades, bringing them joy and solace.

Classic animations continue to evoke good emotions and have an impact on kids and adults alike. They are distinguished by the lack of unnecessary aggression, excessive visual stimuli and chaos. Timeless values – friendship, kindness, co-operation and courage – are conveyed in them in a simple and deeply moving way. In this respect, classic animations have not aged a bit.

An ensemble of excellent musicians will move us into the extraordinary world of children’s adventures. The concert will be accompanied by a commentary giving a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the timeless animations. In addition, the hosts will demonstrate how sound combined with images can entertain and move.

Performed by:

• Jacek Tarkowski and the Tarkowski Orkiestra

The partner of the FMF4Kids: Iconic Bedtime Stories event is the Animated Film Studio (Studio Filmów Rysunkowych).

https://fmf.fm/programme/173

VENUE: Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic Hall in Krakow

Aleksander Dębicz, one of the most inventive pianists working today, makes a welcome return to music from his bestselling debut album to once again enchant FMF audiences. The album Cinematic Piano encapsulates his personal sensitivities and serves as a dialogue with maestros of film music. Widely regarded as a master of improvisation, Dębicz will doubtless surprise us with unique interpretations of his own compositions. The atmospheric concert will close the intensive week of concerts of the FMF.

Aleksander Dębicz’s debut album Cinematic Piano was launched 10 years ago. It was released just a couple of years after the pianist and composer won the Transatlantyk Instant Composition Contest based on the idea of improvisation created synchronously to the image on the screen.

Cinematic Piano includes original compositions inspired by cinema and film music. The album was widely applauded by listeners and critics alike, and it launched numerous concert, theatre and film projects.

Dębicz has followed it by another six albums, all resounding with his distinctive style he himself describes as “cinematic classical”. A decade ago the composer decided to bring the language of the piano to his greatest passions in cinema and film music; now he returns to these inspirations while also bringing his new experiences and sensitivities.