Lucyna Migala is expounding the rich though admittedly obscure heritage of Polish music. “Polish culture, with its distinctive language and customs, has flourished since the year 966 when the king of Poland was converted to Christianity by the pope. The size of the country has changed over the centuries due to invasions and alliances–that’s why there are major regional differences in the music. In the Carpathian Mountains to the south, the Podhald [highland] music is dissonant and wild–like the people there; it uses light voices absolutely devoid of schooling. Music from Silesia tends to be in minor keys, evocative, introspective, often sad. The music of my birthplace, Krakow, is bright, spirited, and ‘wow.’ In central Poland, of course, we have the mazurka, the kujawiak [a slow waltz]–much more rhythmic music.”
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The Lira Singers’ Polish-American Christmas Gala commences Sunday, December 2, at 3 PM in the Morton East High School auditorium, 2401 S. Austin in Cicero. Migala will provide narration (in English), and the ensembles will be conducted by Lucy Ding. Tickets are $14, $12 for seniors, and $5 for children. For more information about Lira’s activities, call 539-4900.
