Author: Grzegorz Oliwa

How can the value of an artistic work be assessed? Are there objective methods and tools for such an evaluation? Or, at the end of all attempts, do we simply stand helpless in the face of the saying De gustibus non est disputandum? It seems that in certain contexts, especially in the cultural sphere, discussing matters of taste is not only desirable but also leads to the development of new directions and styles. Quite often, changes initially rejected by experts later become milestones in new ways of thinking and perceiving art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT_Lf36oYIc&list=RDaT_Lf36oYIc&start_radio=1

Despite these doubts, and even extreme opinions in the spirit of “competitions are for horses, not for artists” (Béla Bartók), the art world continually seeks ways to affirm its value – of the artist, the ensemble, the institution, the event. One such possibility is the awarding of prizes in selected fields of art, legitimised by the careful selection of experts who undertake this demanding task. The Music to the Power Foundation is the organiser of the International Competition Musical Eagles, which evaluates achievements in ten categories of musical art, in the broadly understood field of classical music, recognising outstanding artistic, scholarly, and educational accomplishments. As the organisers write: this initiative was born out of a need to promote high culture in the sphere of music. The name and motto of the Foundation indicate that music has a multifaceted impact on our lives – from multiplying beauty and developing sensitivity to it, to the self-realisation of the individual who, in striving to define the world around him, seeks to give it the most beautiful and noble dimension possible. This is the mission of culture, this is the mission of music.

One of the events submitted to this year’s jubilee edition of the Musical Eagles competition was the concert held on 25 September 2024 at the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Lusławice, as part of the Festival of Sensitive Culture. The cantata “Treasures Do Not Walk Alone – A Musical Tale about Ignacy Łukasiewicz”, before being performed in the absolutely exceptional acoustics of the Lusławice concert hall, had already been presented in Warsaw, Jasionka, Krosno and Bóbrka. In each of these places, the light of the world’s first kerosene lamp reminded audiences of the uniqueness of Łukasiewicz’s discovery, which continues to influence vast areas of contemporary life.

The uniqueness of the work lies not only in the remarkable fusion of words (by Monika Partyk) with music (by Krzysztof Mroziak), but also in its cast. On a single stage, children, young people, and adults meet in shared admiration of Ignacy Łukasiewicz’s achievements. The musical presentation was further enriched by scenographic elements and lighting design, perfectly highlighting successive scenes of the cantata, for which the company KorekSound was responsible. The recording, recognised by the 14-member jury of the Musical Eagles competition – comprising eminent figures from the world of classical music – was awarded the Silver Diploma in Category X – Events.

For every musician in Poland, the very opportunity to perform in this prestigious venue, the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Lusławice, is already a great honour and a true event. The same was felt by the participants: pupils from music schools in Błażowa, Jeżowe, Ropczyce, Rymanów and Strzyżów, prepared by Agnieszka Tomaszek; students forming the Academic Choir of the University of Rzeszów, prepared by Katarzyna Sobas; the Mielec Symphony Orchestra; narrator Paweł Gładyś; soloists Agnieszka Sobas and Kacper Bator; and conductors Katarzyna Sobas and Grzegorz Oliwa.

One can only hope that this special distinction will also help the work to be noticed by cultural institutions and that it will continue to educate and delight audiences in many places across Poland – while Łukasiewicz’s lamp shines with the light it so rightly deserves.