A world-premiere recording of works by a brilliant composer who died far too young at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Her Ballads stand among the finest achievements in Polish piano music. Sarnecka's writing is intense and deeply reflective, marked by bold dissonances and sweeping, expertly crafted modulations. Pianist Marek Szlezer brings this forgotten music back to life with performances of striking emotional depth and powerful sonority-an ideal match for the expressive, dramatic voice of this gifted Young Poland composer.

This album pays homage to the concept of the Schubertiad-the intimate gatherings held during the life of the "fourth Viennese classic," where the composer himself would sit at the piano, joined by the finest musicians, to perform Schubert's chamber works in the salons of wealthy friends. Much like these legendary soir�es, the album presents Schubert's most celebrated compositions from the final years of his life, brought to life by a group of exceptional young artists handpicked by Andrzej Pikul. The program features two expansive songs, enhanced by a wind instrument, which frame Schubert's iconic Sonata in A minor, written for the then-novel arpeggione, a unique instrument that, unfortunately, enjoyed a brief lifespan of less than fifty years. The album also includes Schubert's monumental Fantasy in F minor for Piano Four Hands. The centerpiece is a poignant miniature that evokes the melancholic yet beloved nature of Schubert-the composer who, despite his public charm, was often tormented by personal struggles. A unifying thread throughout the album is the piano, which, under the skilled hands of acclaimed chamber musician Andrzej Pikul, transports the listener into a world of musical camaraderie and enduring friendships.

Maciej Kabza (*1990): Szczescie Happiness: cycle of songs for high voice and piano to words by Julian Tuwim Eight songs by an award-winning composer explore the timeless question: what is happiness? Set to the evocative poetry of Julian Tuwim, the texts approach the theme from unexpected angles, while the music captures a rich and wide-ranging emotional landscape. Contemporary vocal techniques and an intricate, highly expressive interplay between voice and piano create a compelling musical dialogue, giving both performers the opportunity to showcase their artistry, versatility, and technical brilliance.

The album consists of five triptychs written for solo guitar in the 20th century by composers representing various areas of musical culture. The album opens with a work by Tansman, which references the compositions of Fr�d�ric Chopin. Rodrigo's composition strictly follows his characteristic musical language, based on stylizations of dances and motifs drawn from Spanish tradition. Torroba's suite is a tribute to the music of the Castilian region, an emotional, virtuosic work with playful elements. The miniatures by Henz, with their dreamlike, meditative character, bear the mark of the versatile German composer's personal style, whose musical language combines elements of expressionism, twelve-tone technique, neoclassicism, and tonality. The final work on the album is by Barrios Mangor�, the Paraguayan guitarist and most prominent composer of his country, whose piece borders between the sacred and the profane, containing elements of Baroque virtuosity. Andrzej Grygier is one of the most outstanding classical guitarists of his generation, a laureate of prestigious guitar competitions worldwide, and this album confirms his virtuosic skill and musical sensitivity.

Vienna in the second half of the 17th century, under the rule of Emperor Leopold I, was a significant center of musical life-a place where various styles and influences intersected, distinguished by it's own traditions and performance practices. The same was true for harpsichord music: composers working under the auspices of the imperial court supported and inspired each other, which resulted in a large number of surviving works preserved in libraries such as those in Leipzig, Berlin, and New York. The album includes both single-movement and multi-movement compositions that share a virtuosic character, highlighting the exceptional talent of the renowned harpsichordists of the era. Special attention should be given to the artist's own transcription of an unpublished and previously unrecorded suite by Biber, which is the result of Agata Meissner's own research work. The artist is affiliated with the Mozarteum University in Salzburg and divides her attention between performing early music and caring for historical instruments. Three of these instruments were used on this album, specifically chosen to emphasize the characteristics unique to the works of each composer. The album transports listeners to an era of fervent rhetoric and emotions, contained within the bounds of courtly elegance.

Forgotten Treasures of Polish Violin Music

Jazz with MACV presents a unique concert recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos KV 413 in F major and KV 466 in D minor, performed on historical instruments by Musicae Antiquae Collegium Varsoviense. Classical elegance meets creative freedom as Filip Wojciechowski, an outstanding pianist equally at home in classical and jazz idioms, enriches Mozart's scores with original jazz-inspired cadenzas. The result is a bold and refined reinterpretation that bridges centuries, blending period performance practice with the spontaneity of jazz. This album captures an electrifying dialogue between tradition and improvisation, revealing Mozart's music in a fresh, vibrant, and compelling new light.

This album presents four works by leading Polish composers, written especially for Sinfonietta Cracovia. Composed over the past five years and recorded here for the first time, these pieces showcase the remarkable breadth of today's Polish contemporary music. Spanning everything from bold tonal writing to daring microtonal textures, from driving, high-energy drama to immersive soundscapes enhanced by electronics, the album offers a vivid listening experience. Standout virtuoso performances by violinists Piotr Tarcholik and Maciej Lulek, along with the Krakow Wind Quintet, add star power and brilliance, inviting listeners to discover fresh, compelling voices of modern Polish music through the artistry of this acclaimed Krakow ensemble.

The album features a sonata written especially for Arto Noras, one of today's greatest cellists, presented as a gift for his 80th birthday. The violin sonata is likewise dedicated to it's performer-an exceptional Korean violinist held in high esteem by Krzysztof Penderecki, Ryu's mentor and artistic patron. The Korean composer's music speaks in a highly personal voice, blending echoes of Romanticism and Impressionism. Together, these two works invite listeners to savor the sheer beauty of sound and the dazzling virtuosity that define the artistry of all four performers.

Duos and quartets by Wojciech Chalupka-winner of the Tadeusz Baird Competition, composer and saxophonist, and member of the acclaimed Nemesis Quartet-go far beyond personal reflections on philosophical questions. These works represent chamber music at it's highest level, brought to life in outstanding performances, including a live recording by the legendary Arditti Quartet. Striking, unconventional instrumental pairings, boundless imagination, and an effortless command of diverse musical styles define Chalupka's distinctive and compelling compositional voice.

The album takes it's title from a vocalise written by Grzegorz Ciechowski for The Witcher, which here becomes a subtle guide through the intimate soundscape of solo piano. Reflective and atmospheric, the record brings together works by leading composers of contemporary classical and film music, alongside original arrangements of iconic Polish songs. Marked by improvisations where restraint meets imagination, and crystalline tone blends with a quietly melancholic lyricism, the album showcases the distinctive personal style of acclaimed pianist Maksym Rzeminski.

This two-disc album brings together archival recordings of works composed over a span of 43 years. Performed by outstanding artists, the collection invites listeners on a journey through the stylistic transformations of 20th- and 21st-century music as reflected in the output of one of Poland's most eminent composers-from early avant-garde, sonoristic experiments to a deeply personal renewal of traditional musical languages. Excerpts from symphonies, chamber works, piano and cello concertos, and songs offer just a glimpse into a rich creative legacy, in which refined form becomes a powerful vehicle for emotional expression.

This recording marks the first-ever release of works by composers whose lives and artistic legacies still await wider recognition. Written at the dawn of the 20th century, these pieces capture the final echoes of Romanticism while embracing emerging new directions-freer, impressionistic forms and unexpected harmonic relationships-yet they also reveal the enduring influence of great predecessors such as Chopin and Stojowski. Acclaimed soloist and chamber musician Ewa Skardowska brings these rarely heard works to life with insight, commitment, and a deep understanding of the rich musical culture of the fin de si�cle.

A vibrant collection of chamber works spanning different periods of Alberto Ginastera's career, written for piano with strings or voice. Rooted in the rhythms and colors of traditional Argentine music yet infused with the bold spirit of cosmopolitan modernism, these pieces strike a compelling balance between heritage and innovation. Inspired by the lifelong passion of acclaimed Krak�w pianist Andrzej Pikul for Argentina's most celebrated composer, this album highlights the expressive range, technical brilliance, and imaginative power of Ginastera's music, offering each performer a chance to shine with virtuosity and creative flair.

A world-premiere recording of string quintets by the long-forgotten composer Paul Caro, the final Wroclaw voice of the Neo-Romantic tradition. Known until now only through handwritten manuscripts, these newly rediscovered works impress with their clear formal design, lyrical melodic flow, and unmistakable echoes of the great masters-Bruckner, Reger, and Brahms. Performed by acclaimed chamber musicians from the Vienna and Krak�w music scenes, these vibrant interpretations bring to light the remarkable expressive power and artistic promise of a composer finally receiving his due.

This album features songs to poetry by 20th- and 21st-century writers, composed by an artist whose vocal-instrumental works stand at the heart of his oeuvre. A stripped-down, almost minimalist sonic language shapes a meditative, introspective atmosphere-one that encourages philosophical reflection beyond the album's overarching theme of love. The two singers, commanding expansive operatic range and color, bring heightened drama and emotional intensity, carefully building tension and captivating the listener from the first note to the last.

This album offers a compelling snapshot of more than a century of Polish composers' contributions to the solo trombone repertoire. The program brings together works in which neoclassical clarity and sophisticated harmonic language intertwine with a neo-romantic spirit-rich in lyrical themes, virtuosic brilliance, and subtle references to folk traditions. Performed by outstanding musicians closely associated with the Poznan concert scene, these interpretations highlight the distinctive warmth, elegance, and expressive power of brass instruments in a refined classical setting.

This debut joint album by a married duo of distinguished pianists captures two artists at the height of their international careers, delivering masterful interpretations that affirm their virtuosity and artistic maturity. Both works reflect turbulent chapters in their composers' lives, tracing themes of transformation, memory, irony, intimacy, and emotional honesty. The result is music that invites deep reflection on both artistic and personal truth, while also immersing the listener in moments of pure beauty-shaped by the fleeting, atmospheric spirit of the North.

Klaudia Rabiega: Dona Nobis Pacem Sacred Choral Works

A compelling collection of works for oboe and piano composed by Polish composers during the first decade after World War II. Neoclassicism-marked by clarity of form, inventive harmonies, economical means of expression, and frequent folk-inspired elements-meets virtuosity, wit, touches of the grotesque, and moments of neo-romantic lyricism. In most of these pieces, the piano stands as an equal partner to the oboe, engaging in a brilliant, dynamic dialogue. This interplay comes vividly to life in the performances of Justyna Stanek, principal oboist of the NFM Orchestra, and Monika Kruk-outstanding chamber musicians affiliated with the Wroclaw Academy of Music.

KEDYKOLWIEK TERAZ JESTES

Wspólczesni kompozytorzy Krakowa

Dekameron: Czyli historia milosci sredniowiecznej

TRUMPET & ORGAN

Music on Wawel Castle (Muzyka na Wawelu)