Karłowicz Reads Poems / From Poetry to Songs

The poetry collection Karłowicz Reads Poems / From Poetry to Songs, which we recommend for your reading, is an integral part of two albums: Mieczysław Karłowicz – Songs beautifully interpreted by Małgorzata Walewska and Karłowicz Recomposed – songs arranged by Atom String Quartet.

In this publication, you will find poems by Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer, Adam Asnyk, Maria Konopnicka, and Juliusz Słowacki, among others, to which Mieczysław Karłowicz composed music. The works of these poets served as the foundation for all the songs recorded on the mentioned albums. For both recordings, the textual layer was a crucial element in selecting musical means and a vital inspiration that allowed the artistic patron of the Szczecin Philharmonic, Mieczysław Karłowicz, to convey his intentions, strength, and essence of creative expression.

An analysis of the poems that Karłowicz engaged with during his creative journey will allow you to delve even deeper and more fully into his extraordinary musical world.

The publication's authors, Ewa Szostak and Piotr Urbański, have recreated the composer's reading sequence and placed the poems in the order in which the songs were composed. The poems have been translated into English by Krzysztof Fordoński specifically for this publication, and thanks to the courtesy of the Central Mountain Tourism Centre PTTK, the collection is adorned with photographs taken by Mieczysław Karłowicz in the Tatra Mountains.

Beautiful poetry, charming photographs, and Karłowicz's music in the background are the recipe for a perfect evening filled with unparalleled visual, emotional, and intellectual experiences.

The collection has been prepared and published in two language versions – Polish and English.

Year of publication: 2022
Initiator: Dorota Serwa
Authors of the publication: Ewa Szostak and Piotr Urbański
Graphic design and layout: Łukasz Bogdanowicz
Hardcover, format: 14 x 12.5 cm, 111 pages
Publisher: Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin
Price: 42 PLN