The library of the Belarusian State Academy of Music presents a thematic exhibition: “And the Polonaise Sounds Again!”: on the 260th anniversary of the birth of Michal Kleofas Oginski (1765–1833), our famous fellow countryman, composer, diplomat, philanthropist, politician, statesman of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian Empire.
Being a representative of the Lithuanian-Polish princely family of Oginski, Michal Kleofas grew up in a highly educated noble family and received a decent education. From an early age, he was seriously interested in theatrical art and music. He played many musical instruments, especially well on the piano, violin, harp and cello.
He began his composing career in the 90s of the 18th century. During this period, he wrote numerous battle songs, marches, polonaises. Today, about 60 of his piano and vocal works are known, including 26 polonaises, 4 marches, 3 mazurkas, a galop and a minuet, the opera “Zelida and Valcour, or Bonaparte in Cairo”, written to his own libretto. But the most famous was the famous polonaise “Farewell to the Homeland” (Oginski’s polonaise), created by him in 1794, which for more than two centuries has remained the most famous and most popular work in the world, the best example of classical music.
The exhibition presents scientific and popular science publications that reveal the main stages of the life and creative work of M.K. Oginsky, monographs and articles by famous Belarusian and foreign researchers, printed music editions of musical works by M.K. Oginsky – polonaises, waltzes, mazurkas, minuets, pieces for piano, romances, etc. The exhibition is supplemented by CDs and illustrative material.
The exhibition is located in the elevator hall of the 6th floor of the educational building No. 3 (P. Brovki St., 22) from August 28 to December 10, 2025.