Coming up on November 27 at the Warsaw Philharmonic – an opening of photographs and a concert with works by one of the most versatile artists – Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. Katarzyna Sanocka talks with dr Paweł Siechowicz of the Institute of Musicology at the University of Warsaw about how photography, painting and music intermingle in his work.

The son of an organist, he was born near Druskininkai and raised in a multicultural environment. He spoke and wrote in Polish, interjecting Lithuanian diminutives in his letters. At the beginning of the 20th century, he laid the foundations of Lithuanian national art of the 20th century, and is called “the humblest among geniuses” by Lithuanians.

He studied piano and composition in Warsaw and Leipzig, and then changed the direction of his interests – he took up drawing at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. Thus, he entered the world of painting already as an experienced artist. Painting was meant to give vent to his ideas and visions that he experienced while composing music.

In his paintings, fog is arranged in the shape of hands, trees look like harps. His work is a synthesis of musical structures with painting form. He did not illustrate music, but it was the composition of painting by means of musical thinking (rhythm, motifs, repetition).

He has also been involved in photography – his work can be seen from November 27 in the foyer of the National Philharmonic.

Read more about the exhibition in the description „Wizjoner z kodakiem. Fotografie Mikolajusa Konstantunasa Čiurlionisa” .

Wystawie towarzyszy koncert w Filharmonii Narodowej: Posłańcy: Bach / Schubert/ Čiurlionis