Born in Debica on November 23, 1933, Krzysztof Penderecki studied composition with Artur Malawski and Stanislaw Wiechowicz at the State Higher School of Music in Krakow (1954-58). In 1959 three of his works won him the top prizes at the Young Composers’ Competition of the Polish Composers’ Union. A year later, he captured the attention of Western critics with Anaklasis, performed at the Donaueschingen Festival. Penderecki’s international position was consolidated in the 1960s thanks to such pieces as Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, the St. Luke Passion, and Dies irae. This release in the Polish Sinfonia luventus Orchestra’s Penderecki series features his Concerto per viola ed orchestra (version for saxophone, 2015), and his Concerto per violin ed orchestra no. 2 Metamorphosen (1995).

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Europe experienced numerous political and social changes. The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 not only entailed changes in yet stable state structures in a short time, but also influenced the normative canons in art, which resulted in a new epoch - the Romanticism. Nowadays, we find it's ideas in poetry, painting, and music. Those arts drew from each other; therefore, they were intertwined and they complemented themselves by expressing interior spiritual and emotional states of their authors. It is very interesting to see in this background the person and works of Franz Xaver Mozart - a pianist and composer, the youngest son of great Wolfgang Amadeus.

Piotr Slopecki - one of the most interesting Polish pianists, accustomed us to his outstanding interpretations of Bach's music (The Goldberg Variations or the cycle Die Kunst der Fuge). The present album is a kind of phonographic opening of this versatile artist - pianist, organist, composer and arranger, who is familiar with jazz - to other worlds of the music he practices. This is a very discrete opening, as the album dedicated to three outstanding composers who seem to only slightly differ from the atmosphere of Bach's works. The amazing Partita in E minor BWV 830 - the first Bach composition published during the composer's lifetime - is accompanied by the Fantasia No. 3 by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, whose compositional technique was one of the inspirations for the works of the Master of the Fugue. Ludwig van Beethoven returns to the counterpoint technique in the Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106, which allows for discovery of this absolutely innovative work in the mainstream of music directly referring to the output of the Cantor of Leipzig.

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.

HAGITH

This new release features world premiere recordings of Pawl Lukaszewski’s Symphony of Providence Symphony of Providence was written between 1997 and 2008. It opens with a soprano, mixed choir and orchestra. The symphony has a clearly Christocentric and Christological message. As Lukaszewski writes on his website “The work communicates faith in the protection of Divine Providence and in the new Heave and new Earth...”

The Best of Fryderyk Chopin, Vol. 3

A powerful symphony by Zygmunt Stojowski that propelled the composer onto the international stage. Dazzling orchestration, soaring melodies, and an adventurous harmonic language place the work at the crossroads of late Romantic intensity and emerging Modernist boldness-music that was unjustly neglected in concert programs for generations. Under the dynamic leadership of Lukasz Borowicz, the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra makes a compelling case for this forgotten masterpiece, delivering a performance of sweeping momentum, dramatic impact, and striking expressive range that restores the symphony to it's rightful place in the repertoire.

Rediscover the music of brilliant Italian keyboard virtuosos whose works are rarely heard today. Songs, toccatas, ricercars, fugues, and dances come together in a richly woven program that captures the excitement of an era when instrumental music was just beginning to find it's own voice. Rooted in the expressive world of vocal madrigals yet pushing toward new independence, this repertoire reflects a moment of bold musical innovation. With charisma and imagination, Corina Marti brings these works to life, inviting listeners into intimate, personal moments at the keyboard-moments of reflection and creative freedom once enjoyed by court musicians behind the walls of Renaissance palaces.

Wajnberg, Laks: Piano Quintets

Two early works by Robert Schumann surge with emotional intensity, where lyrical beauty meets dramatic urgency, soaring passion collides with deep introspection. Pianist Ayham Hammour, long associated with Poland and a familiar presence on major stages throughout Europe and the Americas, brings Schumann's inner world vividly to life. With imagination and keen insight, Hammour uncovers not only the composer's profound dramatic voice, but also the sparkle of wit, lightness, and subtle irony that lies beneath the surface.

This album captures the live premiere of a concert performance of the opera, marking it's first-ever recording. The work is based on the libretto of the 18th-century poet and monk, Pietro Metastasio. Azione sacra is a genre closely related to oratorio, but with a distinct emphasis on drama-this is not a static, contemplative work, but rather a mini-opera in two acts. The composer, Lukaszewski, draws partially from a Polish translation while also returning to the original text. He describes Joasza as a sacra rappresentazione, making it the second such work in his compositional legacy. Musically, Lukaszewski stays true to his own distinctive style, which is rooted in tonality and features a rich, varied texture-from intimate recitatives to powerful, dynamic choral segments. The work's intricate structure allows listeners to follow the plot through memorable musical motifs assigned to different characters and storylines. The choir plays a pivotal role, commenting on the action, while instrumental intermezzos add depth and emotional nuance. The recording features a stellar lineup of soloists, whose voices blend seamlessly with the dramatic intensity of the piece, creating an unforgettable listening experience.

Beloved songs by Stanislaw Moniuszko are presented here in a striking new sound world, inspired by the tradition of 19th-century home music-making, where the piano gives way to plucked instruments-lutes and guitars. This bold artistic vision is further enriched by masterful spoken interpretations of poetry by writers close to the composer, delivered by acclaimed actor Krzysztof Gosztyla. Two contrasting vocal voices-a light, luminous female timbre and a strong, resonant male voice-come together to tell a story in which wit and humor intertwine with moments of tender, nostalgic reflection.

This is the first album in the discography of the National Wind Orchestra in Lubin, an ensemble founded in 2019. It features works by composers regarded among the most important contemporary creators of music for wind orchestra. Among them are also authors who write music for film, television, and advertising, which is reflected in numerous illustrative motifs that stimulate the imagination. The compositions reveal the immense sonic and expressive potential of the symphonic wind orchestra, transporting listeners into a fantastical world inspired by colors, the seasons, underwater life, and the magical scenery of the mountains. The music is aesthetically rooted in the tradition of sweeping film suites, where powerful brass fanfares intertwine with subtle woodwind motifs, enriched by the sound of harp and percussion instruments. Joyful, lively themes in Hounds of Springs, the dramatic chase in Ride, and the gentle, carefree mood of Whispers from Beyond together form a colorful kaleidoscope of emotions and impressions. Under the baton of Sebastian Perlowski, the National Wind Orchestra in Lubin captivates with it's sound, energy, technical virtuosity, and an excellent sense of style at the intersection of classical and film music.

This album brings together works written primarily in the final decade of the 19th century, showcasing the rich tradition of vocal and instrumental lyricism. The Belle �poque was an era defined by the pursuit of beauty of sound, expressive phrasing, dynamic contrast, and effortless virtuosity-all qualities that shine throughout this recording. The Sopot chamber musicians once again demonstrate their exceptional tonal refinement, including in songs performed alongside Karolina Sikora, whose velvety, noble mezzo-soprano adds depth and elegance to the program. Released on both CD and vinyl, the album is a true treat for listeners who appreciate a deep, warm, and immersive sound experience.

Pawel Pudio is a music producer, creative director, and composer from the border of arts. He developes his own artistic projects and composes music on special occasions. Concert pieces and films featuring his music have been presented in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Israel, Estonia, France, and Spain. “War Horns” is a piece for 10 horns, whose world premiere took place at the Solidarity of Arts festival in Gdansk in 2015. The world premiere was accompanied by a sculptural installation, being a kind of spatial continuation of the project’s idea. On this album, a studio recording of this exceptional piece of anti-war expression is presented, performed by international artists in the Concert Studio of the Polish Radio in Warsaw.

The present album constitutes a juxtaposition of works of two musical families: the greatest one, without which it would be hard to imagine the history of modern music - the Bach family - and the Podbielski family, of Polish origin, who have almost been completely forgotten and pushed to the margin of consciousness. Four unique personalities emerge from this compilation - each immersed in their own time and operating with their individual expression style. The common denominator of the works presented on the album is a unique instrument, considered to be perfect in the times of Johann Sebastian Bach - the viola da gamba. The listener will hear it together with the harpsichord in the interpretation of a marriage of musicians specializing in Early Music performance - Krzysztof and Anna Firlus.

In the 17th century, Poland was one of the most dynamic cultural centres in Europe, mainly due to royal patronage and great magnate families. Opera and ballet performances were organized, in many churches organs were built. An important role in the development of Polish musical culture of that period was played by numerous court ensembles, of which the royal one was of course of the highest quality. It was also the long-time Kapellmeister of the court of Wladyslaw IV, Bartlomiej Pekiel, that belonged to the European musical elite. OCTAVA – one of the most interesting Polish vocal groups presents, along with a group of early music specialists invited to perform this work, pieces of this composer, most important for the Polish music of the 17th century. This is the first comprehensive and complete phonographic edition of the works of Bartlomiej Pekiel, which features pieces not yet published, including works found in the Archives of the Wawel Cathedral Chapter.

Krzysztof Meyer’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano was composed as commission for the Sommerliche Musiktage festival in Hitzacker and was premiered on July 31, 1999. The trio can be easily associated with Brahms’ music. Meyer believes that musical narration makes sense and his music always strives for something or generates an expectation.

Szymon Laks - the number 49543 in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, was an outstanding composer, violinist, writer, a passionate linguist and translator, admitted that it was music that saved his life: in the extermination camp where he was from 1942 to 1944, he was a kapellmeister, musician, and copyist of the male orchestra. It was also there that he arranged and performed together with instrumentalists-prisoners Three Warsaw Polonaises by an unknown author from the 18th century for a chamber orchestra. They were found by accident and published by the Polish Music Publishing House already in 1950 and became the first published camp music literature. The Messages Quartet, established in 2014, focuses on 20th and 21st century Polish music, particularly promoting the works that are still being discovered and are rarely performed. The name of the ensemble refers to the famous String Quartet No. 2 "Messages" by Andrzej Panufnik. The Messages Quartet was created in the year of the 100th anniversary of Panufnik's birthday- 2014. The musicians of the Quartet are graduates of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Academy of Music in Krakow. They also graduated from the solo studies and from masterclasses at European universities. Apart from the concert activity, they also dedicate themselves to teaching at the Academy of Music in Katowice and Krakow.

Dear children, today we would like to tell you about Frederic Chopin. This phenomenal composer and pianist is still known around the world , even today. He was born about 200 years ago in a small mansion house in Zelazowa Wola, not very far from Warsaw. Count Skarbek owned the house, where Frederic's Dad, Nicolas Chopin lived. Frederic's Dad was a tutor, which means he taught children from rich families at their home. Frederic's Mum was a very warm-hearted and caring person. She kept a warm and welcoming home where everyone felt comfortable. Little Frederic was very gifted at the piano. He began lessons at six years old and soo after started composing. Frederic grew into a world-renown composer and on this album you can hear his most important works.

Arkadiusz Adamski is one of the most active clarinetists in Poland. He performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, and has an active teaching career. Thanks to many competition successes, which include first prize at the Polish Chamber Music Competition in 1983 and second prize at the International Competition for Karol Kurpinski, Adamski has been one of the most recognized Polish clarinetists from the very start of his career. The present album, presented alongside renowned chamber musicians Marcin Zdunik, Magdalena Wojciechowska and the Apollon Musagete Quartet, includes two works by Johannes Brahms: his Trio for clarinet, cello and piano in A minor op. 114, and Quintet for clarinet, two violins, viola, and cello in B minor, Op. 115.

Aleksandra Kuls was born in 1991. Her successes include First Prize at the Jozsef Szigeti International Violin and Viola Competition in Budapest and two special awards at the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition in Poznan in 2011. She graduated from the Zenon Brzewski Secondary Music School in Warsaw, where she studied with Magdalena Szczepanowska. For this release, Aleksandra has chosen works from J. S. Bach, Krzysztof Penderecki, Sergei Prokofiev, and Eugene Ysaye. These pieces offer a broad overview of solo violin output, from Bach’s early Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, to Penderecki’s La Follia which was premiered as recently as 2013.

For the musicians associated with the Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki Sarmatian Choir the 450 anniversary of the conclusion of the Act of the Union of Lublin became a good opportunity for a sui generis reconstruction of solemn sacred music from that time. Based on extremely interesting monuments of Polish music of the “Golden Age,” the programme of the album is a kind of “fantasy” on the coverage accompanying the solemn sum that had to be celebrated after such an important event for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Wide historical and musical knowledge of the artists, knowledge of the liturgy, customs, and performance style of the early Polish music makes this experiment, carried out under the artistic direction of Robert Pozarski in cooperation with the Schola Gregoriana Silesiensis, Trombastic ensemble, and well-known soloists, very credible and will bring a lot of satisfaction to all music lovers interested in the Old Polish culture.

April 2018 saw the 40th death anniversary of Wojciech Lukaszewski - composer, pedagogue, music critic, and animator of the musical culture of Czestochowa. The present album is released on the occasion of this anniversary in order to recall some of the creative output of the prematurely deceased composer. The choral and vocal-instrumental compositions by Lukaszewski, recorded on the album, constitute a fragment of his varied and rich works. Lukaszewski's art is characterized by a diversified use of compositional techniques. His works are distinguished by the free use of various compositional techniques, they are unique due to the excellent technique; they are often aphoristic. Lukaszewski's musical language followed the path of evolution typical of the composers of his generation and developed from neoclassical inspirations, through sonoristic regulation with the use of aleatoric techniques and freely treated dodecaphony up to gradual reduction of the sound language and searching for own forms of creative expression.