Music on the water by Jan Waraczewski at Lake Dąbie

On Saturday evening, June 21, the AZS Yacht Club marina on Lake Dąbie was filled to the brim – or rather, to the brim of the quays, jetties and yachts. The weather was great, and a lot of people came (and sailed in), all to listen to classical music outdoors again during the well-known concert “Music on the Water”. This was the 23rd edition of this event – ​​so we can safely say that it is not just a one-time firework, but a permanent event in the Szczecin cultural calendar. And one that we really like.

On the stage – or rather on a specially prepared stage by the water – the Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra played under the baton of Przemysław Neumann. In addition, a special guest: tenor Rafał Bartmiński, who sang, among others, arias from "Tosca" and "The Haunted Manor". And if someone is not quite into opera – don't worry, there was also Mussorgsky, Holst, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and other orchestral hits that sound great even for those who prefer Spotify to the philharmonic on a daily basis.

The great strength of this concert is its atmosphere – a relaxed, summer evening, the sound of water and sounds that carry over the surface of the lake. People come here with chairs, deckchairs, blankets, some come by boat and listen from the decks. There is no strict dress code, you don't have to know the names of all the composers – you just have to come and absorb. And that's exactly why "Music on the Water" works so well. It's not just a concert, it's a summer ritual.

It all started over two decades ago thanks to Jan Waraczewski – a violinist, sailor, concertmaster and enthusiast who came up with the idea that classical music can sound great not only in the philharmonic hall, but also by the lake. The idea caught on, developed and today it is impossible to imagine June in Szczecin without this event. The organizers – including the Philharmonic, AZS, Marina Developer and Żegluga Szczecińska – did it right once again. Everything worked – literally and figuratively. The stage, the sound, the lights, the order at the marina. And the audience? Smiling, relaxed and probably a little moved. Because it is really something special – to be able to just sit by the water and listen to music that sounds better than many a holiday playlist. If someone hasn't been yet – it is worth remembering: "Music on the Water" takes place every year around the summer solstice. And although the programme changes with each edition, one thing remains the same – an atmosphere that is difficult to describe but very easy to like.

(dg)