TCHAIKOVSKY WORKS

For Jozef Zeidler, his music was largely forgotten until 2006 when his work was performed at the first Festival of Oratorio. A classical composer, his writing is transparent, simple, and elegant. His Missa Pastorytia in G is featured here. Much about composer Antoni Habel's life is unknown prior to his appointment as first violin of the Gneizno capella. His composition Sinfonia ex F is included here. Performing these works is the Polish Orchestra "Sinfonia Inventus" and the Polish Chamber Choir " Schola Cantorum Gedanensis," under the direction of Pawel Przytocki.

This new Dux release, Slavonic Duets, features the work of four romantic era composers of Eastern European and Russian origin: Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872, Aleksandr Dargomyzski (1813-1869), Cesar Cui (1835-1918) and Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904). Dvořák stands somewhat apart here in that the other three composers remained on European soil and were known to one another personally, whereas Dvořák came to America late in life. The outstanding Polish alto and Music Academy, Gdansk professor Jadwiga Rappé and mezzo Urszula Kryger are heard in the company of pianist Mariusz Rutkowski.

It was not until the turn of the 18th and 19th c. that the cello made its mark in Poland, initially salon type miniatures but soon followed by sonatas. Compositions for cello and chamber ensemble were rare. Antoni Stolpe’s Scena dramatyczna, originally scored for cello and string quintet, is the only surviving piece from that period. Prof. Andrzej Wróbel arranged the remaining 19th c. compositions included on this release for strings with concert performances in mind. The works by Krzysztof Herdzin and Piotr Wróbel, dating from the last ten years, were originally written for these forces.

Zbigniew Namysłowski, one of the best-known Polish jazzmen, is considered among the most interesting European saxophonists and composers. This recording comprises works by Mr. Namysłowski performed by a classical instrumental ensemble, Cup of Time. The composer himself joins them on several pieces, albeit not his own. Most of Namysłowski’s pieces contain a touch of mystery bound to intrigue listeners. Thanks to his use of specific melodic phrases based on Lydian and highlanders’ scales and rhythmic patterns that draw on Polish folk dances, they carry a uniquely Polish stamp for many people.

In this lovely recording of rare marimba music, Kasia Kadlubowska proves her skill as a musician by making the technicalities of the pieces sound easy, and bringing out the emotion the composers intended. Jazz vibraphonist and composer Dominik Bukowski also performs for this recording. He, along with his wife Anna, operate a private music school in Gdynia. All arrangements on this recording were made by Kadlubowska and Bukowski.

When we think about vocal duets, immediately we see a piano and two singers, or a duet for three people. + This confusing terminology resembles something of a baroque way of thinking… The romantic duet for three people is similar to this baroque way of thinking, not only in the name, but also in texture. + Offering countless possibilities, the composer is left with total freedom in shaping the material. + This artistic freedom is highlighted on ‘German Duets’, featuring songs of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms, sung by mezzo Urszula Kryger and alto Jadwiga Rappé, with Hartmut Höll at the piano.

CELLO CONCERTOS

RETURNING SOUNDS

Originally released in 1998 to good notices, the 'Sinfonia Amabile' Choir and Orchestra conducted by Piotr Wajrak along with the best of the cadre of up and coming singers in Poland with Mozart's canonical Requiem in D Minor. The recording was sponsored by the Straszny Dw�r Foundation whose mission is to promote Polish artists, primarily composers, conductors, instrumentalists, singers and dancers, in Poland and around the world.

COMPLETE CHAMBER WORKS

English 20th century chamber opera Turn of the Screw is one of Benjamin Britten's most popular works. Premiered in 1954, the opera is based on a novella of the same name by Henry James. This recording of the opera is taken from the Polish premier at the 19th Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. The album is endorsed by the Ludwig van Beethoven Association. Lukasz Borowicz, under who's baton this recording was performed, said of the opera, "In terms of dramatic precision, it is a masterpiece. The composer oozes the discreet charm of evil, which in this work is both attractive and terrifying."

Zygmunt Krauze is a great pioneer in music who has not always been given his due. His nature to explore shows itself in his fascination with improvisation, different timbral combinations, and was postmodern before the term had much weight. A piece of Krauze's genius stems from his experience as a pianist. He frequently utilizes extended techniques in his pieces for solo piano. "Zygmunt Krauze has it's own tradition, devised at the beginning of his path, which he confronts with new emotions, experiences, and ideas." (Polish Radio)

Carl Reinecke, a German composer, conductor, pianist and pedagogue was one of the most influentual, many-sided and respected individuals in the musical life of the 19th century. This release contains a set of Reinecke's compositions for clarinet, horn and piano. The works featured here come from different periods of Reinecke's career and enable us to follow the development in his compositional style.

Marcin Stańczyk is one of Poland’s most original young composers; yet not only an original composer, for he is also a professional lawyer, accordionist, and chorister; yet not only a Polish composer, because he is also current in music abroad. His works are strongly inspired and connected with nature. This is a music understood as a dynamic field of powers, a network of energy processes, always complex and distorted, abounding in afterimages and mosaics; a suggested music, demanding incredible effort from performers, but also taking them and us the listeners into open, adventurous waters.