Poleski Skład Smyczkowy
The ensemble is composed of practitioners and followers of Polish traditional music, known for numerous musical projects, as well as artistic, scientific, and educational initiatives.
The melodies of the Bug River Polesia they perform are a reminder of the multicultural coexistence and dialogue of the Polish, Ukrainian, and Jewish cultures, and a sign of the transformation of the culture and tastes of the people of Polesia in the first half of the 20th century.
The band’s sound draws on the tradition of peasant orchestras that used to play in towns and manors, at weddings and church fairs. The music they play is a selection of traditional melodies from the region dating back to the first half of the 20th century, including old dances and wedding songs, as well as new music brought from around the world to the Polesia countryside on shellac records.
Their impulse for music-making was a meeting with Edmund Brożek from Włodawa (b. 1926), a violinist performing old songs. A significant source of their repertoire are the archival recordings of Polesia singers and musicians, including Maria Kałużna from Orchówek (b. 1894), Maria Majówka from Bukowa (b. 1914), violinist Paweł Słowik from Ryczka (b. 1905), and squeezebox player Kazimierz Rożkowski from Orchówek (b. 1900), as well as Ukrainian violinists from beyond the Bug River.
Members:
Mateusz Niwiński – violin
Paula Kinaszewska – violin
Piotr Herda – violin, second violin
Bartek Wożniak – baryton
Agnieszka Niwińska – drum, baraban
Jan Tarkowski – cello
