Karlowicz: Symphony in E minor, "Rebirth", Op. 7

A compilation of early orchestral works by the Polish contemporary composer, Krzysztof Meyer in performances that showcase both his incorporation of modernistic techniques such as the twelve tone system, and his allegiance to traditional classical structures.

15TH INTERNATIONAL FREDERICK C

Haydn: Quartets, Op. 76, Nos. 1-6

Includes work(s) by Krzysztof Penderecki. Ensemble: Cracow Philharmonic. Conductor: Wojciech Czepiel.

In dir ist Freude

RUSSIAN DUETS

Paganini & Sibelius: Violin Concertos

This compilation of Penderecki works features his best-known compisitions.

CLARINET SONATAS OF 20TH CENTU

It is rare to find a situation where one of the most exquisite national operas, according to many, has been recorded only a few times. Although The Haunted Manor by Stanislaw Moniuszko has been considered to be an outstanding showcase of Polishness in opera for more than 150 years, the modest number of comprehensive recordings of this composition may give rise to profound disbelief. This recording was created thanks to the determination of the artists of the Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk, who wished to honor the Patron of the university on the occasion of it's 70th anniversary in a special and permanent way. This album is a documentary of a concert performance of The Haunted Manor, prepared with the participation of the most eminent pedagogues of the Academy. An interesting recording was made, faithful to the spirit of the Opera and, like it, full of noble humor, which is the setting of extremely serious content.

Zych: Works for Orchestra

ONE WEEK IN RIO is the phonographic debut of the duo, as well as the world premiere of two exceptional pieces. The title suite, written by Sérgio Assad, and a new version of the History of Tango by Astor Piazzolla. Adam Woch and Robert Guzik are one of the most interesting guitarists of the young generation in Poland. They have made their common debut in one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world – Carnegie Hall in New York. Their debut album consists of two world premieres: the seven-movement suite One Week in Rio by Sérgio Assad, composer and guitarist of the legendary Assad Brothers duo and the famous History of Tango by Astor Piazzolla in a completely new version for violin and two guitars, recorded together with Roksana Kwasnikowska. The remaining repertoire is complemented by works by Latin American composers, which have been the most popular during the last years at the concerts of the ensemble.

WORKS FOR ORCHESTRA

BACEWICZ RADOM CHAMBER ORCH.; BUKOWIAN (CELLO); DOBROWOLSKI (CELLO); KROL(VIOLIN); KRZEMIEN (CELLO); PIOTROWSKA (CELLO); GRUSZCZYNSKA (VIOLIN); BALWAS (VIOLIN); TAGASHIRA (VIOLIN) MUSIC FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA VOL. II- SINFONIETTA FOR STRING ORCHESTRA; SYMFONIA FOR STRING ORCHESTRA; QUARTETTO PER 4 VIOLONCELLI; QUARTET FOR 4 VIOLINS

Presented on three discs, this new release features the very best compositions of Henryk Gorecki (1933-2010) A Polish composer of contemporary classical music, Gorecki became a prominent figure of the Polish avant-garde during the post-Stalin era. While Gorecki’s music varies in style, his works tend to lean toward harmonic and rhythmic simplicity. He is regarded as a founder of the ‘New Polish School’, joined by Witold Lutoslawski and Krzysztof Penderecki.

Penderecki: Music for Chamber Orchestra

SYMPHONY NO. 7

COMPLETE NOCTURNES (2CD)

VIOLIN CONCERTOS

COMPLETE SOLO PIANO WORKS

CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in F?; Barcarolle; Impromptus: in A?, Op. 29; in F? , Op. 36; Tarantella in A? • Danil Trifonov (pn); Wojciech Rajski, cond; Polish CO Sopot • DUX 0832 (63:30)


It’s too bad that this disc, filled with brilliant, energized, and subtle piano playing should start almost anemically with an impassive statement from the chamber orchestra on the Chopin Piano Concerto. Of course this is a string orchestra, a defensible choice, but I still think the opening should be more emphatic. We see what we were missing the second Danil Trifonov enters, for he is a dynamic pianist, and yet one who plays the delicate pages of this concerto exquisitely without ever losing its forward thrust. There are few recordings of the Romance as beautiful as Trifonov’s, and few of the final Rondo as delightfully playful. The solo works are just as distinguished, including the quicksilver rendition of the Impromptu in A?. Trifonov has all the technique, and all the temperament that he needs, and yet everywhere he seems to be delighting in the music and not in what he can do with it. Some listeners might come to this disc for the novelty of hearing the concerto played by a string orchestra. They should be delighted with the pianist.


FANFARE: Michael Ullman

The 12th Musica Sacromontana Festival (2017) saw the contemporary premiere of another work by J�zef Zeidler, the spiritual patron of this event. The Mass in D major (just like the monumental Mass ex D) has been preserved in the collections of Die Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich. The Mass in D major seems to be a more personal and natural work, where simplicity gains the features of conscious artistry. The music is maximally organized, both in the construction of individual phrases and larger formal entities. The MUSICA SACROMONTANA Festival is meant to continue the intentions of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, who wanted to evangelize through the broadly understood propagation of culture. It is thanks to their efforts that in the 17th century a great ensemble was created there, and the greatest composers, including Palestrina, came to Gostyn. Many of them wrote pieces on commission of the Congregation; fathers also filled the library with copies of works of the greatest masters.

Born on 20 October 1957 in Jasienica, Andrzej Dziadek is a composer who, as one of few contemporary Polish artists, refers to the Romantic tradition. Andrzej Dziadek, after graduating from his studies under the supervision of J�zef Swider (Academy of Music in Katowice) and Francis Burt (Hochschule f�r Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna), developed a brilliant artistic activity, presenting his works at many prestigious festivals. The present album featuring the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice and the Polish Radio and Television Choir and Symphony Orchestra in Krak�w contains works created over the span of almost 30 years, which prompts the listener to reflect on a series of musical transformations that were gradually taking place in the composer's musical language.

Reminiscence of the Future, Sonatas for accordion is one of the few albums presenting original literature for a concert accordion. Among numerous emerging musical projects, it is certainly a unique one, showing the sound qualities of this instrument and extremely valuable works, until now undiscovered in the world of classical music. In each of them, it is the above-average dose of content that plays the supreme role. The programme content of each sonata is closely related to the fate of a given composer. What connects the composers present on this album is the experience of the hardships of creating in the authoritarian regime. Adam Maksymienko is one of the most prominent accordionists of the young generation, a laureate of numerous competitions, and an artist with considerable stage performance achievements even at such a young age.