Mariusz Kaldowski – Lev Knipper Iranian Suite
This project by Mariusz Kaldowski is dedicated to Lev Knipper’s Iranian Suite. Inspired by the composer’s music, the artist translates its rhythm, colour and atmosphere into a contemporary visual language.
'During a concert of the Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio Amadeus, held in my childhood city of Chełmno to honour the opening of a memorial hall dedicated to my father and our family, I heard the piece Radif for the first time in my life.
The interpretation and performance, led by the orchestra and conductor Agnieszka Duczmal, awakened in me the profound need to paint this music.
In a conversation afterwards, Agnieszka Duczmal described the piece as ecumenical — uniting so many layers of musical expression. For me, it also reached a deeply human level: the touch of the hand, the seeds of creation, the very face of existence.
A few months later, while listening to the recording of this piece again and again, I painted what the music stirred within me — and this painting was born.'
The Iranian Suite series reflects Mariusz Kaldowski’s dialogue with Knipper’s music. Through portraits and paintings, the artist captures both the composer’s presence and the evocative qualities of the score. Acrylic on canvas and expressive brushwork transform musical themes into visual form, offering a new way to experience Knipper’s legacy. These works have been shown in exhibitions alongside performances of the suite, highlighting the connection between sound and image.
