Mikolaja

The Polish "Orkiestra Sw. Mikolaja" (St. Nicholas Orchestra) is the best known folk band in Poland. In the '90s, this band created a whole new folk style. Partly because of Mikolaja Orkiestra the popularity of folk music in Poland is back with a vengeance. As one of the first contemporary folk groups "Orkiestra Sw. Mikolaja" processes not only traditional Polish, but also Eastcarpatic and Ukrainian influences in its music. That is to say music from the areas wich previously belonged to Poland. Thereby the group pays special attention to the forgotten minorities, like the Lemko's, and the Ruthenians Hoetsoels

Although the contemporary arrangements, Mikolaja uses only acoustic instruments. The group has a special preference for stringed instruments, such as dutar and cymbal. Characteristics of the group are: originality, complexity, dynamism, raw vocals and an acoustic sound. Seven musicians on stage and more than twice as many musical instruments (violins, nyckelharpa, cymbal, mandolin, mandola, bass, dutar, flutes, drums and various percussion instruments, guitar and kobza).

Many newspapers wrote wildly enthusiastic reviews, including Folk Roots. Mikolaja has now 9 CD's with both traditional and modern-crafted new Polish folk music. Mikolaja Orkiestra now gave over 1000 concerts in Poland and abroad, playing at many international festivals and is often heard and seen on the Polish radio and TV.

What do we know about Polish folk music? We know that dances like Mazurka, Polka, Polska and polonaise are from Poland, but how does folk from Poland sounds today? After the communist era almost obliterated traditional folk music, the "Orkiestra Sw. Mikolaja"  gave folk music and pride back to Poland. Also thanks to Mikolaja there is a vibrant and living folk culture in Poland again.

The musicians of Mikolaja have fascinating ideas about dealing with traditions in a modern age. They make contemporary folk, with great admiration for the old traditions. Through the rediscovery of the (almost disappeared) minority of Lemko - who once lived in the eastern Polish Carpathians - the group realized that the music of the old villages is fashionable and intriguing to the modern listener. The musicians and researchers of Mikolaja are convinced that the forgotten folklore can inspire and enrich present-day culture.

The group works with daring harmonies, they love riffs and strange sound effects and do not avoid the influences of rock and jazz. Trance effects and modern arrangements can grab the listener and amaze. But yet it is not the intention of Mikolaja to modernize the sources of folk music. Rather, they contribute to the further development based on the world today and their love for the tradition.

"Tradition is our story about a world that was wiped out, but is still very important to us. The greatest value of folk music is its spirit that we share with the public to rediscover. Many see our music as a genuine continuation of a living folk tradition, because we play acoustically and we preserve the vitality and vibrancy of the original in our arrangements. "

Anna Bielak: violin, vocals

Bogdan Bracha: flute, violin, vocals

Robert Brzozowksi: bass

Agnieszka Kolcsewska: drums, percussion

Piotr Majczyna: mandola, saz, vocals

Maria Natanson: violin, vocals

Marcin Skrzypek: cymbal, dutar, guitar, Kobza, mandolin, vocals