A Journey for a Smile

It may be hard for younger generations to believe, but before the age of streaming services, Polish cinema was truly flourishing. The same was true of music, and whenever these two worlds came together, the results were often remarkable. This concert is a perfect example, offering an evening devoted to the film and television music of the one and only Jerzy "Duduś" Matuszkiewicz.

Alternatywy 4, Wojna domowa, Janosik, and Nie lubię poniedziałku are just some of the iconic titles we will revisit this evening. All of the music will be performed by the Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra, joined on stage by vocalists Kasia Dereń – a brilliant interpreter of some of the most beautiful songs – and Kamil Bijoś, a semi-finalist in the fourth season of The Voice of Poland.

But let us return for a moment to Matuszkiewicz himself, for he is undoubtedly a figure worth remembering. "Duduś" was a truly exceptional personality. He came from a jazz background and was a highly respected saxophonist, but he is remembered above all for his scores to more than two hundred films and television series. With extraordinary flair, he combined lightness, memorable melodies, and cinematic sensitivity to create music that perfectly complemented the screen. Most of those born before the mid-1980s would probably recognise many of his compositions after just the first few notes. What is truly remarkable is how well this music has stood the test of time, continuing to find a place in the hearts and minds of both longtime admirers and new generations of audiences and listeners alike.