Violinist Karolina Mikołajczyk and accordionist Iwo Jedynecki performed at Jackson Performance Hall on Georgia Southwestern University on February 20 as part of the Chamber Concert Series. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, and Warsaw Philharmonic, and have also won first prizes at several international music competitions.

A variety of strains graced the hall, some high and keening, and others quick and joyful. Styles ranged from Romanian folk to Hollywood. Selections included Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne, Camille Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre, and several pieces by Antonio Vivaldi.

Jedynecki began lessons on the accordion when he was seven years old. He shared how Poland’s state music school system allowed him to get an early start. “When you’re in the first grade of a state music school, you can pick up an instrument of your choice and then you can actually practice it and have lessons, for how long you want, until college.”

Initially, Jedynecki planned to take piano lessons, but spots had run out. “They suggested accordion. Because there was a great teacher who was a soccer player and soccer lover, just like me, we hit it off and I stayed with accordion.”

Jedynecki gave his favorite out of the pieces they performed. “My personal favorite would probably be the Dance Macabre by Saint-Saens which is part of the program. . . that we prepared especially for this concert series at the National Gallery of Art in DC, which was about the 19th century Paris impressionism in paintings and also in music, so Saint-Saens’s piece also carries kind of an impressionistic story to the piece.”

Jedynecki shared his experiences performing in the state of Georgia. “We love the State.” They recently performed in Augusta and St. Simons. However, he did voice one regret. “The only thing that we still haven’t tried are Georgia peaches.”

John Hayes was an attendee, and shared his experience. “It was better than I expected. I mean, I expected something good, but that was unbelievable.” Hayes attended with his wife, and has attended several Chamber Concerts in the past. It was his first time attending an accordion concert, and he gave his favorite part. “I like the Hollywood, that was good, but it was all good.”

Damaisha Goober also described the experience. “I had a great time, and they really did a great job.” She gave the Romanian folk dances as her favorites.

Paul Eubanks was also in attendance, and summed the concert in a word. “Awesome.” When asked for his favorite part, he replied; “the whole thing.” Eubanks is a long-time attendee of Chamber concerts. He encourages others to attend.