In many of his public statements, the illustrious Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1934) has stressed that the human voice is his favorite expressive device. + His many works for vocal and vocal-instrumental forces, including the selection of choral pieces featured on this recording, provide convincing proof of this fact. + The Polish Chamber Choir, directed by Jan Łukaszewski, belongs to a small elite of internationally renowned, fully professional chamber choirs

V 2: POLISH HARPSICHORD MUSIC

OPERA ARIAS

PIANO DUO

Polish Harpsichord Music, Vol. 1

The music of the court of Saxon electors is striking in its cosmopolitan richness. + It represents a blend of Italian and French styles, coupled with typically German polyphony. + These diverse artistic trends appeared at the court in Dresden at the beginning of the 17th c. and coexisted there throughout the following century. + ‘Music in Dresden in the times of Augustus II the Strong’ features works by Vivaldi, Heinchen, Veracini, Schreyfogel and Benna, played by an historically-informed performing chamber trio of consisting of violin, viola da gamba and harpsichord.

A recital of solo piano works, composed over a span of thirty years, from this hugely influential 20th century composer. His creative use of tradition, a masterly compositional technique and originality of musical language have placed him firmly within the ranks of the most outstanding composers of the twentieth century. Pianist Veronique Briel has developed a fine international career, performing with leading orchestras and prominent conductors across the globe.

Mozart/Brahms: Violin Concertos

DIE KUNST DER FUGE

POLISH MUSIC XX-XXI CENTURY

It took more than five decades after the Psalms of David for Krzysztof Penderecki to produce another large-scale vocal-instrumental work setting Polish texts. It was a commission from the Fryderyk Chopin National Institute for a piece to be performed at the final concert of the Chopin Bicentenary celebrations that offered Penderecki a suitable opportunity to turn again to Polish poetry. The conductor Wojciech Rajski leads the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir and a trio of vocal soloists.

PIANO QUINTETS, PIANO QUARTET

Anna Sikorzak-Olek plays rarely recorded 20th century Polish harp repertoire.

This Dux Witold Lutosławski release is a comprehensive double-disc set of Songs and Carols arising almost exclusively out of the composer’s early years of the 1940s-50s. + The largest opus, Disc Two’s Twenty Polish Carols for voice and piano (1946), is also the earliest work on this compilation, which includes several song cycles and a few standalone pieces. + Fellow Fryderyk Chopin Music Academy, Warsaw graduates Anna Radziejewska (mezzo-soprano, Warsaw Chamber Opera soloist) and 20th – 21st c. music specialist Mariusz Rutkowski (pianist) are the set’s featured artists.

CLARINET WORKS